Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Linda Heldman Greenberg

Honorary Co-Chairs of the Longworth-Anderson Series: Linda Heldman Greenberg, Jerry Kathman, and Amy Goodwin

The Cincinnati Memorial Hall Society (CMHS) mourns the loss of Linda Heldman Greenberg, a cherished friend, passionate arts advocate, and foundational force behind the creation of our Longworth-Anderson Series (LAS). Linda passed away peacefully on June 18, 2025, at the age of 71, leaving behind a legacy of service, vision, and generosity that will long be remembered.

A native Cincinnatian raised in Bond Hill and a longtime resident of Hyde Park, Linda brought grace, warmth, and insight to every role she embraced—whether as a mother, grandmother, counselor, volunteer, or arts leader. After earning her master’s degree in mental health counseling from Wright State University, she worked as a behavioral specialist at Jewish Hospital, where she was known for her empathy and dedication to others. Her philanthropic impact reached across the city, supporting institutions such as Playhouse in the Park, the Cincinnati Ballet, and the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati.

In 2017, Linda joined the CMHS board of trustees, serving with distinction, including a term as vice president. But her involvement began well before then. Linda was instrumental in the founding and early growth of the LAS. Her deep love of music—especially Americana, folk, bluegrass, and country—made her a trusted voice in artist selection and series direction.

She also helped form the LAS’s essential support group, the “Founders of the Longworth-Anderson Series,” serving as one of its honorary co-chairs for eight seasons. Her leadership helped shape not only the music we present, but the community we’ve built.

“Memorial Hall, the CMHS, and the LAS all benefited greatly from Linda’s valuable advice, service, and generosity,” said Bill Baumann, Chair Emeritus of the CMHS and Chair of the LAS. “It was a distinct pleasure to work alongside her for the betterment of these organizations.”

Linda will be remembered not only for what she gave, but for how she gave it: with heart, elegance, and joy.

—Kyle Fugate

Cincinnati’s Memorial Hall—A Building with a Story

In 1908, The Grand Army of the Republic constructed Hamilton County Memorial Hall as a monument to veterans of the Spanish-American War and Civil War.

Designed by Samuel Hannaford & Sons (who had an extensive resume of designs in Cincinnati, including Music Hall, City Hall, several churches, and other prominent buildings), the hall features marble staircases embellished with intricate wrought iron that lead to the 556-seat proscenium theater. This theater was originally conceived for speeches, but evolved into one of most intimate and acoustically superior venues in the region.

A local sculptor named Clement Barnhorn carved six figures above the exterior doors, each wearing a military uniform representing soldiers from the Revolutionary War to the Spanish-American War.

Memorial Hall also houses a special collection of artwork and artifacts of local civic and military history. More than 40 pieces are on display throughout the building, including the wreath that is said to have adorned Abraham Lincoln's casket when it passed through Columbus, OH. Beautiful murals and Tiffany chandeliers complement the historic theater, along with stenciled murals by Francis Pedretti.

After World War I, Disabled American Veterans was created at Memorial Hall during the organization’s first national caucus. The charity grew to encompass more than a million members with chapters all over the country.

Today, Memorial Hall is located in the heart of a revitalized arts district in Over-the-Rhine. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, the venue overlooks Washington Park, and is neighbor to Music Hall, The Transept, the School for Creative and Performing Arts, and Cincinnati Shakespeare Company.

In 2016, a $11.2 million renovation was completed, a collaboration of the Cincinnati Memorial Hall Society (CMHS), the Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC), and Hamilton County. The renovation allowed for the preservation of the building’s historic character. Additionally, extensive improvements were made to increase audience and performer comfort, modernize amenities, and enhance concerts. The renovations included new, larger restroom facilities, a new HVAC system to accommodate year-round events, new seating, the addition of a contemporary catering kitchen, and backstage crossover space for performers. Memorial Hall is now managed by 3CDC, hosting more than 250 events annually.

When the theater reopened, it was named the Annie W. and Elizabeth M. Anderson Theater, in recognition of the prominence of the Anderson and Longworth families in Cincinnati’s history, and the Anderson sisters’ generous contribution to the renovation. Annie and Elizabeth Anderson were sixth-generation Cincinnatians, great-granddaughters of Nicholas Longworth (1783-1863) and Lt. Colonel Richard Clough Anderson (1750-1826).

Brevet Major General Nicholas Longworth Anderson (1838-1892) was Anne and Elizabeth’s great-uncle, and an honored Civil War veteran memorialized by a bronze plaque placed in Memorial Hall following the building’s construction.

With the completion of the renovation, the Longworth-Anderson Series was launched in early 2017 by CMHS. The series features Grammy Award-winning and other nationally recognized performers and bands, showcasing a variety of contemporary music genres including alternative, Americana, bluegrass, blues, country, folk, gospel, hip hop, jazz, pop, R&B, reggae, rock, soul, and world music. Events that are part of the series provide an entire evening of entertainment including pre-concert receptions with live local music, light bites, and beer & wine tastings from popular regional restaurants, craft beer brewers, and wine distributors.

—Scott Seward