Awakening the house that built legends. Help preserve the birthplace of African American opera and honor the legacy of Mary Cardwell Dawson.
The 7101 Project is the preservation and reactivation of 7101 Apple Street, the historic site intrinsically linked to Mary Cardwell Dawson and the institutional foundations of Black opera in America.
At its core, the project safeguards a physical structure that documents artistic excellence, institutional leadership, and creative self determination within the American landscape.
By protecting the integrity of the site and reestablishing it as a living civic space, the project strengthens cultural memory and expands access to a more complete historical narrative.
The 7101 Project matters because it is a monument that holds the people, events, and cultural values that shaped our collective memory. Preserving the physical ground where history was authored ensures that legacy remains more than a story, it remains a place people can encounter, learn from, and carry forward.
William “Woogie” Harris was a pioneering serial entrepreneur and Pittsburgh’s first African American millionaire numbers runner, widely remembered as a community “bank” for people neglected by traditional institutions.
Beyond his financial influence, Harris transformed his home on Apple Street into a vibrant cultural hub that hosted Black society, arts, and culture from the 1930s until his death in 1967. His legacy of community empowerment continues through the National Opera House’s “Woogie Grant.”
Protecting the structure and establishing the framework for long term restoration.
Rebuilding structural integrity and protecting the building envelope from long term damage.
Transforming the restored structure into a living civic space for arts, education, and community use.
Once restored, 7101 Apple Street will return as a living cultural center — preserving history while creating space for new artistic life.
Rooms for music, training, collaboration, and public facing cultural programs.
Learning opportunities rooted in heritage, access, and artistic excellence.
A future platform for artists to create, research, perform, and connect.
A dedicated experience honoring the National Negro Opera Company.
A gathering place for Homewood, Pittsburgh, and national cultural audiences.
Choose the path that works best for you. Every gift, hour, and shared story helps move the restoration forward.
Every contribution directly supports restoration work and helps preserve this national treasure for future generations.
Donate on GoFundMeSupport events, outreach, administration, and future on site efforts as restoration work continues.
Sign Up to VolunteerShare the mission with your network. Every voice matters in preserving this historic landmark.
Learn HowTogether, we can restore 7101 Apple Street and preserve the legacy of Mary Cardwell Dawson and the National Negro Opera Company for generations to come.
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