[Daughters of the American Revolution. with: Hurok, Sol]

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January 27th 1939

Mrs. H.M. Robert Jr. [Junior] President General National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Memorial Continental Hall Washington D.C.

Dear Mrs. Robert:

We have been notified by the chairman of the Howard University Concert Series that Constitution Hall is not available for a concert by Miss Marian Anderson which was planned for April 9th in Washington, D.C.

This we are informed is due to the fact that it is the policy of the owners of Constitution Hall to restrict Negro artists from appearing there.

Without attempting to discuss the justification [justification] of that policy we are asking whether you would waive the restriction in the case of Miss Anderson. It need not be pointed out to you we believe that Marian Anderson is one of the greatest living sigers and without doubt hte greatest which America has produced [produced]. We think that the application of your restrictive policy would be to deny a rich musical experience to the people of your city since it is impossible to present her at that time in any other hall in Washington.

May we have your decision in this matter as soon as possible since upon it will depend our touring plans for Miss Anderson.

In closing let us suggest that the cultured people of America would be gravely offended by your decision to exercise the restriction above-mentioned.

Very truly yours

Hurok Attractions Inc. [Incorporate]

by ____ President

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[Daughters of the American Revolution letterhead logo] Mrs. Henry M. Robert Jr. [Junior] National Society Daughers of the American Revolution Memorial Continental Hall Washington D.C.

February 3 1939.

Mr. [Mister] S. Hurok President Hurok Attractions Inc. [Incorporated] 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, N.Y. [New York]

My dear Mr. [Mister] Hurok:

At the time that the Chairman of the Howard University Concert series approached the Manger of Constitution Hall the Hall had already been engaged for Easter Sunday April 9 by another musical organization.

Thanking you I am

Sincerely

[Sarah? C?] Robert Mrs. Henry M. Robert Jr. [Junior] President General, N.S.D.A.R. [National Society Daughters of the American Revolution]

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Carolyn E. Punderson 947 Portland Avenue Saint Paul Minnesota

February 25 1939.

Hurok Attractions Inc. [Incorporated] 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York City.

Gentlemen:

I am writing for information about a matter which concerns me quite deeply.

I am an honorary state regent of the Minnesota Daughters of the American Revolution and of course am vitally interested in many phases of our work. I helped in a small way to build Constitution Hall and gave many hours to the promotion of it. I am greatly concerned about the publicity incident to Marion Andersons nonappearance in that hall. I have been told that the hall was engaged for the date you wished and secondly that Washington managers have an agreement that halls cannot be rented for the appearance of a colored person. This seems to me a very seroius situtation and it has caused a great deal of comment on the part of our members here and I judge elsewhere.

We in this vicinity are of course greatly interested [interested] in Miss Anderson and her art and feel that first and foremost she is a singer of the greatest magnitude. We feel there is nothing unusual in seeing her on the stage of Northrup Auditorium just as we have Roland Hayes.

I have been a member of the Schubert Club here in St. [Saint] Paul since a young piano student. Since graduating from high school twenty six years ago I have served on the executive board nearly continuously and at present am the treasurer. Knowing of our contacts with the managerial [managerial] agencies I feel free to ask you for your side of this vital question. Also is it true as reported that Marion Anderson has never appeared before a southern audience or in Washington?

I think the majority of the northern memebrs feel that Constitution Hall should be open to all artists regardless [regardless] of color especially true Americans. Our State D.A.R [Daughters of the American Revolution] Conference will be held shortly and we would appreciate an early reply.

Very truly yours

(Miss) Carolyn E. Punderson

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