A 113-year-old house in Homewood that hosted the first black opera company in the country and the likes of jazz singer Lena Horne and baseball great Roberto Clemente has been nominated for a city historic designation.

The Young Preservationists Association of Pittsburgh has nominated the house at 7101 Apple Ave. to become a city historic structure, a designation the group is hoping will serve as the catalyst to help restore the dwelling to its former grandeur. It also would protect the boarded structure from demolition.

"It's too valuable to lose. It's a tremendous asset to the city," said Dan Holland, founder and chairman of the Young Preservationists Association.

The Queen Anne-style house has a royal history.

It was the first home of the National Negro Opera Co., which was founded in 1941 by Madame Mary Cardwell Dawson, and where rehearsals were held. The opera company disbanded with Madame Dawson's death in 1962.

At other points in its history, the house served as an apartment to Ms. Horne, Mr. Clemente, the Pirates' Hall of Fame outfielder, and some members of the Steelers. It was owned for years by William A. "Woogie" Harris, brother of Pittsburgh Courier photographer Teenie Harris.

The structure was purchased in 2000 for $18,000 by Jonnet Solomon-Nowlin and Miriam White. The two have formed a nonprofit corporation to raise nearly $2 million to rehabilitate the three-story house and convert it to a center for cultural activities, including a music studio and tea room.

Mr. Holland said he hopes a local designation will lend support to those efforts and provide some momentum for a listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

"We hope this gives the lift to the efforts of the owners to bring the house back to its former glory," he said.

The city's Historic Review Commission will consider the nomination for a preliminary review and hearing at its meeting Nov. 7. The nomination also must go before the planning commission and City Council.

Mr. Holland said only three other properties in the city related to African-American history have received the city designation. A fourth, the boyhood home of playwright August Wilson, is pending.