The museum is located in the former Washington Bath House and was founded by Marylou Whitney.

[3][4][5] The National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame purposed a mission from its very foundation.

It was "to cultivate, promote, foster, sponsor, and develop among its members and the community at large, the appreciation, understanding, taste, and love of the Musical Arts, especially the Dance; to create a National Hall of Fame for the advancement of such purposes; to secure the interest of the patrons of these Arts, and to promote and encourage the means for popular instruction and enjoyment thereof.

"[6] The Mr. & Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney Hall of Fame collection was provided to the Museum in 1987.

List of the inductees into the Mr. & Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney Hall of Fame of the National Museum of Dance (United States).