In 1998, the Montgomery County Council and the Maryland State Legislature approved matching capital support ($48 million each) for the Music Center at Strathmore. After the design team was selected in 2001, work began under the direction of the county. In 1977, the Sisters of the Holy Cross sold the mansion to the American Speech and Hearing Review Maverick House Association (ASHA) as a temporary headquarters.
History of The Mansion
- Your generosity brings distinctive programming and renowned artists to Strathmore’s stages and galleries and ensures that everyone in our community can experience the joy and wonder of the arts.
- In 2016, Strathmore formalized it’s commitment to ensuring access to the arts with the Bloom initiative.
- Our website works best with the latest version of the browsers below, unfortunately your browser is not supported.
- If a tea is sold out and you are interested in that date, please call our tea line about wait list opportunities or fill out the form here.
- The Corby family enjoyed the house as a summer retreat until 1912, when they contracted Charles Barton Keen to make extensive modifications.
There are more than two dozen exhibitions each season from local artists and from collaborations with renowned museums, such as the Baltimore Museum. The Gudelsky Gallery Suite, located at the top of the grand staircase, was named after philanthropists, Homer and Martha Gudelsky. Supported by a donation from the Gudelsky Family Foundation, this gallery features four galleries. It is the only venue of its kind in Montgomery County.citation needed There is also a Sculpture Garden that winds through the complex’s 11 acres (45,000 m2). In 1908, The Oysters sold the house and 99 adjoining acres to Charles and Hattie Corby. The Corby family enjoyed the house as a summer retreat until 1912, when they contracted Charles Barton Keen to make extensive modifications.
Afternoon Tea
In 1979, Montgomery County, Maryland acquired the Mansion and 11 acres of land from ASHA. The house was renamed Strathmore Hall, after the newly established nonprofit, and the Mansion with its surrounding grounds were developed as Montgomery County’s first center for the arts. After extensive restoration, the Mansion at Strathmore opened its doors to the public on June 24, 1983. Read on to trace the history of the Mansion at Strathmore, from its turn-of-the-century roots as a grand summer estate to its transformation into a spirited arts center. Celebrate this festive season with specialty food and traditional holiday music from around the world. A six-story, 64-foot (20 m) high glass wall in the Lockheed Martin Lobby features 402 panes of glass, and opens to the outdoor Trawick Terrace that overlooks the Strathmore campus.
Having constructed new schools and residences nearby, the sisters sold the Mansion and its remaining 30 acres to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) in 1977 for use as its temporary headquarters. Lord Baltimore granted Thomas Brooke, Jr. the land where Strathmore is now located. Ownership and usage of the land is not well-known until 1823 when a toll road was built to connect Georgetown and Frederick. One of the road’s tollgates was near the intersection now known as Strathmore Avenue. As shown on an 1879 map, local landowner Frank Ball operated a stagecoach station and blacksmith shop on his farm at this location. Indulge in holiday fare from Scotland accompanied by a talk from Jo Morrison about Highland history and music.
On June 21, 1983, after major restoration of the facility, Strathmore opened its doors to the public. Strathmore is in the process of researching the history of the land that we occupy to ensure proper acknowledgment of those who were here before us. Strathmore is a premier art institution of the mid-Atlantic region, hosting more than two dozen exhibitions a year. A sweet treat of romantic music and scrumptious cuisine for you and your sweetheart. Located on the Bou Family Terrace, “Tetra Con Brio,” a monumental sculpture of cast bronze, steel, and polished concrete, stands 12 feet (3.7 m) tall and weighs 4,500 pounds.
The sounds of local musicians fill the room as you sip Strathmore’s Signature Blend Tea, made specially by Master Tea Blender John Harney, and lunch on light delectable tea savories. Strathmore, which began as a turn-of-the-century mansion featuring small chamber performances and art exhibitions in 1983, developed its plans for the Music Center over 20 years ago. In 1985, Strathmore’s Board of Directors and President and CEO Eliot Pfanstiehl began discussions about the need for a larger educational and performance space. In 1996, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, under the leadership of former president John Gidwitz, expressed interest in creating a second home in Montgomery County, and joined Strathmore as a founding partner of the Music Center at Strathmore. The venue presents over 150 performances a year and over 75 arts and music education classes each week.
Dedicated to the Arts
Celebrate the Year of the Snake with traditional food and beautiful Chinese folk music. ‘Tis the season to indulge in holiday delicacies while enjoying timeless Christmas tunes from the past. Our website works best with the latest version of the browsers below, unfortunately your browser is not supported. Using an old browser means that some parts of our website might not work correctly.
If a tea is sold out and you are interested in that date, please call our tea line about wait list opportunities or fill out the form here. Please do not request to join the wait list in advance of the public on sale date. Celebrate Black History Month with customary food and wonderful jazz musicby pianist Michael Peay. The public-private partnership between Strathmore Hall Foundation, Inc. assumes the day-to-day management and artistic programming of the Music Center and Mansion. Hundreds of donors stepped forward to help build, equip and sustain the operation of the Music Center.
Artist in Residence (AIR) Program
The complex is thus accessible for patrons coming from Washington, D.C., as well as the northern part of Montgomery County, Maryland via the Metro rail system. In 1942, Filipino president Manuel L. Quezon used the Mansion to set up temporary governmental headquarters and World War II operations for the former Commonwealth of the Philippines. Movie buffs will enjoy our tea and tasty treats while guessing the song and which movie they are featured in.