Stephen Foster Memorial

The Stephen Foster Memorial is a Gothic Revival building at the University of Pittsburgh housing theater spaces and exhibits on American musical history. It contains two theaters of different sizes and rooms dedicated to displaying music manuscripts, recordings, and historical objects.

The building opened in 1937 through a partnership between the Tuesday Musical Club and University of Pittsburgh Chancellor John Bowman. This collaboration created a venue dedicated to preserving and celebrating the musical heritage of the 19th century.

The memorial houses manuscripts, recordings, and instruments belonging to Stephen Foster, a 19th-century composer who shaped American popular music. Visitors can see personal objects and written works that document his life and artistic output.

Visits must be arranged in advance, and the exhibit spaces have limited capacity for small groups. It is best to contact ahead of time to plan a visit and allow enough time for exploration.

The Fred Kelly Lobby features handcrafted metal chandeliers by artist Samuel Yellin and stained glass windows depicting Shakespeare and Beethoven. These artistic details often surprise visitors, revealing the careful attention paid to the entrance's design and decoration.

Location: Pittsburgh

Inception: 1937

Architects: Charles Klauder

Architectural style: Gothic Revival

Operator: University of Pittsburgh

Part of: Schenley Farms Historic District

Website: http://pitt.edu/~amerimus/Museum.html

GPS coordinates: 40.44375,-79.95296

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:53