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

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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