Verizon Hall inside the Kimmel Center will soon be renamed to honor Philadelphia native, singer, and civil rights pioneer Marian Anderson, writes Kiara Santos for The Philadelphia Tribune. 

Kimmel Center will formally unveil the new Marian Anderson Hall in June with a joint gala and concert with the Philadelphia Orchestra. 

Couple Richard Worley and Leslie Miller recently made a $25 million donation to the Philadelphia Orchestra, helping make the name change possible. 

 “The permanent inscription of her name on this space will ensure that she receives the ongoing appreciation and affection of Philadelphia,” wrote Miller in a press release.

Anderson was born in Philadelphia in 1897, and later became one of the most renowned singers in the world. She sang from a wide range of music genres and performed across the United States and Europe over decades. 

The venue remaining is part of the Orchestra’s mission to highlight the inclusivity and diversity of the performing arts sector in Philadelphia. 

“We’re proud to honor Marian Anderson with the first major concert venue named in her honor, and that’s also important to say, one of only a very few in the world named for an artist,” said Philadelphia Orchestra Music and Artistic Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin.

Read more about Marian Anderson and her legacy being honored at The Philadelphia Tribune.

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