Marian Anderson and My Grandfather

The other day my Aunt invited me to be her escort to a cocktail party of her garden club. My Aunt is such a dear woman that without hesitation I said "Of course!" and then thought "Good Lord, what have I gotten myself into?" I was, at 53, the youngest one there. It was held at the Scott Fantom Museum in Danbury, where I used to volunteer when I was in high school, so it was fun to see the old place again and they had added, over the course of the past 35 years, quite a few new things.
The cocktail party was held in the Marian Anderson Rehearsal Studio, one of the new additions. "Who is Marian Anderson?" I asked. "Well, you know who Marian Anderson is!" my Aunt replied as she rolled her eyeballs. I really did not know who she was.

Embarrassed by my lack of knowledge, I studiously read the exhibit plaques. It turns out Marian Anderson is the famous opera singer who sang on the steps of Lincoln Memorial, after she was denied a performance by the Daughters of the American Revolution. She broke all kinds of cultural barriers as a black performer. And she lived right here in Danbury! Who knew?!

After a few exclamations on my part, my Aunt went on to tell me about our family connection! Marian Anderson was an avid gardener and my Grandfather owned Zinser's Florist. She bought all her potted plants and flowers, cut or potted, from him! My Grandmother would have her daughters (my two Aunts and Mother) inside and they were allowed to peak at Mrs. Anderson through the curtains but they could not disturb her. My Grandmother was in awe and my Grandfather said Marian Anderson was quite a lady! What a small world it is really.