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Mary Cardwell Dawson

Save the House Save History 

Historic Preservation unearthed the story of #marycardwelldawson – the first lady of Black Opera.

If the Walls Could Talk (our musical) celebrates Mary’s fierce determination for fairness & equal treatment –

It made Mary a pioneer, a revolutionary.

Historical Musicals That Preserve Our Past Through Music.

… They’d Sing These Songs.

Songs for Mary is the story of Mary Dawson, of her life and times, in reflection of our own. Powerful, evocative, personal. Triumphant.

The 15-Song Soundtrack was created by Dawn Carroll and Jon Butcher.

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Musicals about History: A Celebration of the Forgotten

Through Songs For Mary, we embrace the transformative power of musicals about history, which illuminate the lives of those often overlooked in traditional narratives. Centered on the extraordinary journey of Mary Cardwell Dawson, our project seeks to bring forth stories buried beneath the weight of more prominent figures. Musicals uniquely intertwine music, storytelling, and emotion, allowing audiences to forge a deeper connection with our shared past.

Honoring Influential Lives

The 15 songs on our soundtrack not only portray Mary’s personal struggles but also pay tribute to the many influential individuals who shaped her life. Together, they form a rich tapestry of the past that deserves recognition and respect. By sharing these stories about people forgotten in history, we aim to inspire a collective memory that resonates deeply with everyone, reinforcing the idea that history is shaped by those willing to share their voices.

Uncovering Inspirational Tales

As we navigate through the past, we uncover the inspirational tales of those who have been marginalized and forgotten, reminding us of their profound impact on our world. Each song serves as a powerful reminder that every individual’s story matters and contributes to the broader narrative of society.

Join the Musical Journey

In musicals about history, each note reverberates with themes of resilience, heritage, and the relentless pursuit of justice. Together, we can bring these vital stories to light, ensuring that the voices of the past are never silenced.

Here’s the Buzz…

“Shining a broader, inclusive light on historically marginalized communities is essential for those of us committed to preserving and sharing a more accurate account of our nation’s history. Mary Cardwell Dawson’s contributions to this country’s cultural history are impressive in their own right and need to be added to the larger culture narrative. By preserving and amplifying her exceptional accomplishments and lived experiences as a black woman during a particular period in our history, Dawn Carroll’s comprehensive, timely and inspiring project would enable us to more deeply understand and appreciate a relatively unknown dimension of this unique community.”

– Vin Cipolla, President and CEO of Historic New England

Dawn Carroll shows unmatched passion for everything she puts her mind to. Her commitment to doing the right thing is the leading principle in everything she does.

Dawn is a true mentor; she provides guidance, motivation and emotional support to all she interacts with. She exhibits this in all aspects of her life ,whether as a friend, colleague, family member or citizen of the world.

“If the Walls Could Talk” and “Songs for Mary” are her latest projects about preserving history and an architectural masterpiece, all this while juggling a demanding design career. This amazing story was captured in her 15 song soundtrack, it is going on stage, and being filmed. She intends to show us a world that time and history sadly forgot.

– John Trifone, Showroom Director, Minotti

Dawn Carroll has an inspiring commitment to a shining bright spotlight on the life and legacy of Mary Cardwell Dawson. She has taken on the sharing of Dawson’s story – through music, film, and theater – as her personal calling. Carroll is a force. When she believes in something or someone, nothing stands in her way. Carroll is moving mountains so that people today and of future generations will know all that Mary Cardwell Dawson did to help Black musicians bring their talent to the world.

– Jackie Russell, President Teak Media + Communication

The Queen Anne style home in Pittsburgh, known as the National Negro Opera Company and the home of founder Mary Dawson, is important for its cultural, architectural, and social embodiment of the arts in Pittsburgh. Preservation of this home connects us to a time in America when the musical arts were admired but not available to all citizens equally due to racial divides. Restoration of the building will not change the history of the past or of the place, but it will allow us to remember the past with clarity. Conserving the past is but a window opening to our future.

– Gary Johnson, Principal, President – AIA CambridgeSeven 

I am not the kind of guy that says… “things happen for a reason” but in this case, there is no other explanation. This project, Songs For Mary, has an energy that seems to come from the heavens. Early mornings, I’d get a voice recording message of Dawn singing her melody ( or worst- rapping LOL ) her song idea. I would sort it all out and get a keyboard recording. Once we thought we had an organized outline of a song, we would send the demo to Jon Butcher. The entire collaboration was a blast and what a gift it is to see the story of Mary Dawson come to life. The song Slowly, Dawn asked how much does patience cost… we spent the afternoon at Bang studio in Gloucester, for an old fashioned song writing session, together we sculpted this amazing song and pulled together a powerful message to the world. I am honored to be one of the writers and team.

– Sandy Mac

Latest News

That Fabulous, Elusive Duesenberg Car

That Fabulous, Elusive Duesenberg Car

In this chapter of our larger story, I learned about Woogie Harris, his Duesenberg car, and how he helped opera icon Mary Cardwell Dawson, along with many others, achieve their dreams by opening the doors of his beautiful mansion.

Who’s Gonna Save the World?

Who’s Gonna Save the World?

Once I realized that Songs for Mary would be a theatrical show I knew we needed a song that inspired families to take action.  “Who’s Gonna Save the World” became that...

National Opera House Organization

A message from the National Opera House

“I first had the pleasure of meeting Mary Cardwell Dawson on a historical marker that regally stood in front of 7101 Apple Street. After that introduction, my life would forever change. For 22 years, I’ve worked to tell the story and establish the legacy of Madame Mary Dawson, her National Negro Opera House and Mystery Manor, the mesmerizing home in Pittsburgh, PA, that’s desperate for restoration.

On July 5th, 2021 my life would change again when I received a random call from Designer Dawn Carroll. She was more excited than I was and wanted to film the restoration of this home. Dawn gave me many, many great ideas saying “Let’s do a design competition show with prestigious designers and have them reimagine all the spaces inside this gorgeous home – it can be a show-house,” she said. I was in!

I adored the idea, but then COVID happened and months went by without a word. I thought I’d never hear back from Dawn and it was just another excited person who realized the huge task in front of us.

Then, months later, an email arrived titled “Boston Dawn Calling.” Dawn told me the reason for her silence was she was busy, busy, busy writing and recording a soundtrack – 15 songs about all the people who frequented Mystery Manor called Songs for Mary. She figured some music would elevate awareness and that would help raise funds for this intricate restoration. She saw that the house was one gust of wind from blowing over, she knew that this history could not be lost so she and her writing partners wrote a song about each person who stayed in Mystery Manor. She got Grammy Nominated Jon Butcher to pull the entire album together and his beautiful writing is all over the album.

Imagine, a bunch of strangers all dedicated to saving this story, it was quite remarkable!

Now that the album is done, the show is being written by Dawn and she is already filming.

I am so excited to see the interest grow in unique ways, I know others will be inspired and will see this investment as an opportunity of a lifetime, an opportunity that saves history, educates, inspires the next generation of remarkable leaders.

Together we can save the woman, the house and the legacy.” – Jonnet Solomon

 

Saving the History of Mary Cardwell Dawson, the First Lady of Black Opera with Historic Preservation.

If the Walls Could Talk - Historic Preservation Musical; Black history, Music history , Architectural history, Sports history , Women's history..... There is even Duesenberg car history here.... something for everyone under this roof, If the walls Could Talk Musical about the importance of Historic Preservation inspired by Songs For Mary album: About the music: Despite its loveliness and immediate appeal, the Tchaikovsky “Moscow" piece has remained little-known. But, it occurred to Dawn Carroll, it was not at all unlikely that Mary Caldwell Dawson, the classically-trained founder of the Nation Negro Opera Company in Pittsburgh, would have been familiar with it. Her show about Dawson offered an opportunity to use this music that had lived inside Carroll for so long. “It’s a show that talks about opera through the eyes of a hip-hop artist”’ carroll said. So I asked “What would happen if you take this piece by Tchaikovsky and take some hiphop sounds and throw it into a musical blender?” To accomplish this unlikely mash-up, Carroll called on Nashville-based producer/composer Danny Borgers, who previously had collaborated on some of the songs Dawn Carroll created on her album ‘Songs for Mary’ with Jon Butcher . “I had done orchestration type stuff for several songs that Dawn and Jon wrote” Borgers said, “but this one was a little bit outside of the norm. I was trained as a classical pianist, but I had never heard of the piece. I didn’t even know the name of it. So I took a deep dive finding out what it was and then reading more about it. Dawn wanted me to add some hip-hop to it and I thought, ‘Well, that’s interesting‘. “It’s something that brings all the generations together” Carroll said. “It’s a classical piece that caught the ear of me, a rock’n’roller. And now it’s being introduced to hip-hop. Fusing those styles together was so much fun.” CREDITS: Written by Dawn Carroll: Performed by Chris Saldana AKA Sikes951: Orchestration by Danny Borgers: Video by Chantal Matar" Songs For Mary Soundtrack on all streaming platforms
SONGS FOR MARY IS THE STORY OF US
✨ A powerful moment from our journey to restore Mystery Manor and honor Mary Cardwell Dawson. This special video captures the first live reading of If The Walls Could Talk — a performance inspired by the Songs for Mary project and its mission to rescue and restore the historic Mystery Manor, longtime home and creative hub of Mary Cardwell Dawson, founder of the National Negro Opera Company. 🎶 About the Songs for Mary Project Songs for Mary is a cultural initiative using music, storytelling, and live performance to: ✔ Preserve the legacy of Mary Cardwell Dawson and the National Negro Opera Company — a groundbreaking Black opera institution. ✔ Restore Mystery Manor (her historic home) as an arts and history landmark. ✔ Build a live theatrical and musical production that celebrates her impact on community, equity, and the arts. This video is part of that journey — and your likes, shares, and support help spread the word. ❤️ 📌 Get Involved 🔗 Learn more & support the mission: https://songsformary.com 📣 Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/songs4mary/ 🎟️ Donate or become a sponsor Every gift helps preserve history and bring this powerful story to the stage.
If The Walls Could Talk — First Public Reading | Songs for Mary
An old House- A poem- A song - An Album - A Musical all about saving Mystery Manor! A sparkling story that fuses Opera , Rap, Duesenbergs , Jazz Great, Sports legends together . 1940 and 2025 collide teaching about the house that inhaled hate and exhaled love... reminding us that without support, inclusion and kindness we become lost and disconnected as individuals and as a society ; " “The story is about resilience, about saving the house, and all the people in it,” said Carroll, who was excited about the positive audience reaction to her first draft of her first play. She hopes to find future venues to present it. “I’ll be spending my entire spring, summer and fall on the next draft.” Come learn the lost and misplaced history - together we can change the world!
If the Walls Could Talk the musical from Album Songs For Mary
Needham Community Theatre performs the first reading of Songs for Mary, If the Walls Could Talk, February 2025, MA
Songs for Mary If the Walls Could Talk Needham Community Theatre
This is the story of a trailblazing woman and a house full of stories and secrets. The story. The soundtrack. and the stageplay. The first public reading is performed in Needham, MA, February 2025.
Songs for Mary, If the Walls Could Talk, Needham Reading
The fabulous Duesenberg has ties to Mystery Manor, that magical house in Pittsburgh that Woogie Harris owned, and Mary Cardwell Dawson founded the National Negro Opera Company.
Duesenberg J-209 and Mystery Manor
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