History of the Strathmore Performing Arts Center

History of the Strathmore Performing Arts Center

The Strathmore Performing Arts Center has a rich history in bringing fine arts and performing arts to the Washington Metropolitan area. The land that the Strathmore is located on has a storied history itself. The property was initially developed as a mansion estate for a military captain in 1899. Over the next seven decades, the estate changed hands until it was left to Montgomery County who sold the parcel to ASHA in 1979. A few years later in 1983, the Strathmore Performing Arts Center opened it’s doors to residence of Montgomery County and the rest of the Washington Metropolitan area.

In the three decades since opening, the Strathmore Performing Arts Center has attracted some of the top names in the fine arts and performing arts. In the early years, the Strathmore became renowned for hosting the First National Kaleidoscope Exhibition, which drew crowds from across the United States. They have also built a reputation of providing the region with famed art collections such as calligrapher Irene Wellington (1988), the Rhodes-Nadler Collection (2003), and the Art for Fine Living Festival (2004).

On the other hand, the Strathmore has also developed a reputation as a destination for the world’s premiere musicians. In 1986, they began on the right foot by having cellist Steven Honigberg make his first of many appearances. Honigberg a graduate from the Juilliard School is known across the world as one of the most applauded cellist of our time. Between 1995-1997, five-time Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon performed multiple times attracting crowds from across the world. In 2001, the Strathmore hosted the National Philharmonic group for a five-concert series program as part of their concert series titled The Music in the Mansion Series.