Workers can be seen steadily transforming the first floor of the Seneca Building in downtown Bradford into a museum and exhibit center honoring world-famous opera singer and Bradford native Marilyn Horne.

Gone are the building’s storefronts, and drywall has been put up, along with other construction materials, to make way for displays of some of Horne’s archives and other aspects of her career. The facility, owned by the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, is slated to be dedicated and opened on May 6.

“The renovation of the Seneca Building complements ongoing efforts to revitalize an area of downtown that has been in decline and economic distress for well over two decades,” said Pitt-Bradford President Dr. Livingston Alexander. “The Seneca Building itself is a perfect location for the Marilyn Horne Museum and Exhibit Center because it is adjacent to Veterans Square, where Marilyn Horne had her first public performance at four years of age.”

In a Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce newsletter, university officials provided a preview of the museum and exhibition center.

In the entry area of the museum will be a curved platform featuring full-size replicas of some of Horne’s costumes; 7-foot tall glass panels in a curved array showcasing close-up headshots of Horne; and framed architectural arches and velour theatrical curtains.

For the Beginnings area, visitors will see the start of Horne’s journey, in Bradford and continuing to Long Beach, Calif, where she found nurturing for her musical training and opportunities in nearby Los Angeles. In this section of the museum, there will be a medley of images and graphics, as well as an exhibit titled, “Starting Out in California,” showcasing a clip from “Carmen Jones.”

The next part of the facility will be the “Rise of an Opera Star,” where exhibit alcoves shine the spotlight on four of Horne’s career favorites and most successful roles. People will also be able to listen and watch opera clips.

What’s more, people will be able to get a close-up of her costumes, as well as displays of some of Horne’s most prestigious awards.

Also at the facility, people will be able to listen to audio programs titled “Marilyn Talks,” featuring such topics as the State of Opera and Recital Today; Greatest Moments; Peers and Presidents; Opera Favorites; A Rich and Full Life; Self-Belief, Determination and Persistence; and Marilyn Horne Demonstrates Technique.

After departing the opera corridor, patrons will see colorful panels that detail the arc of Horne’s operatic career, including debuts at prestigious opera houses, such as the Metropolitan Opera and the Royal Opera House Covent Garden.

The facility will also feature a theater/recital room, where people can watch an original 10-minute, high-definition feature video presentation on Horne. The room will be able to seat 30-plus people.

In the next exhibit area, a proximity switch will trigger a large video projection of opera highlights. There will also be touch-screen activities, including Stage an Opera and Match the Music to the Libretto. Horne’s annotated scores will also be on accompanying iPads.

Rounding out the museum will be Horne’s musical repertoire and legacy displays. She has sang opera, as well as classical songs in several languages and styles. She has appeared as a guest on “Sesame Street,” “The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson,” “The Odd Couple” and “The Carol Burnett Show.”

“The museum will greatly enhance the economy of the Bradford area, while significantly adding to the appeal and attractiveness of the downtown area,” Alexander said. “By serving as a destination for tourists from Pennsylvania and other locations throughout the country and the world, the museum will contribute immensely to the local economy. The museum will also provide adult residents and school children with cultural enrichment opportunities that will enhance the quality of life in the region.”

Horne has been a major supporter of Pitt-Bradford. So much so, that she served as the honorary chairwoman for the Blaisdell Fine Arts Challenge. That effort raised $4.5 million that was put toward construction of Pitt-Bradford’s fine arts building, Blaisdell Hall.  

In addition, Horne received the university’s Presidential Medal of Distinction in 2000, and in 2004, she was the first person to receive an honorary degree from the University of Pittsburgh at a regional campus.

In 1994, Horne formed the Marilyn Horne Foundation — intended to nurture and champion young opera singers and art of vocal recital. Many locations became the site of foundation-sponsored recitals for young singers, including Carnegie Hall and Pitt-Bradford. The foundation shut down in 2010.