Flushing Meadows Corona Park Queens New York
| Flushing Meadows–Corona Park | ||
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The Unisphere and the New York State Pavilion |
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Location within New York City |
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| Type | Public park | |
| Location | Queens , New York, United States | |
| Coordinates | 40°44′45″N 73°50′41″W / 40.74583°N 73.84472°W / 40.74583; -73.84472 Coordinates : | 40°44′45″N 73°50′41″W / 40.74583°N 73.84472°W / 40.74583; -73.84472 |
| Area | 897 acres (363 ha) | |
| Created | 1939 | |
| Operated by | NYC Parks | |
| Status | Open all year | |
| Public transit access | Subway :   to Mets–Willets Point LIRR : Port Washington Branch to Mets–Willets Point Bus : Q48 , Q58 , Q64 , Q88 |
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VISIT LOUIS ARMSTRONG HOUSEM, QUEENS NEW YORK.
Louis Armstrong was one of the greatest jazz performers and entertainers in the history of music. From 1943 through his death in 1971, he lived in this Queens house. Although there were plenty of great vocalists and instrumentalists during the 20th Century, Louis Armstrong remains the most influential. He changed not only the way that people played their instruments but also the way they sang. Louis Armstrong was responsible for many important changes in American jazz music, including the invention of the improvised solo.
Lucille Armstrong’s widow willed her home and contents to New York City in 1983 to build a museum and research center dedicated to Armstrong's career as well as the history and legacy of jazz. This house seems like it has never been seen before. It offers guided tours for visitors worldwide and offers a range of programs including lectures, concerts and seminars. The Louis Armstrong House is a National Historic Landmark, and was designated New York City Landmark for 1988.
LOUIS ARMSTRONG: THE KING OF QUEENS
The jazz musician's impeccably maintained home in a modest New York City neighborhood is a testament to his and midcentury design's legacy. The guest room of Louis Armstrong's home in Corona, Queens, still has its original late 1960s botanical-print wallpaper and matching upholstery; the portrait is of Armstrong's wife, Lucille.
Nearby is the stainless steel Unisphere from the 1964 World's Fair , and three miles west is Flushing's Main Street, with its crowded dim sum parlors. Corona feels more like a suburban neighborhood tucked into the city. Here, you will find one of America's greatest unheralded design museums: Louis Armstrong's house miraculously preserved, which he lived in from 1943 to his death in 1971.
Armstrong, who was born in New Orleans on December 1, 1901, was an accomplished touring musician and dropped out from school when he was young. Armstrong was already living in Harlem by 1929. He traveled 300 nights each year as one the top recording artists in America. Lucille, who was a Harlem Cotton Club dancer and his fourth wife, met him in 1939. Lucille, born in Corona during her childhood, realized it was now time for her husband's retirement. Instead of living in hotels, they would settle in a house. (Even their wedding took place on the road, in St. Louis, at the home of the singer Velma Middleton .) __S.18__
Armstrong, who was at the gig that day, put down $8,000 ($around $119,000) for 34-56, 107th Street. She didn't tell him she'd done this until eight months later, during which time she made the mortgage payments herself. Lucille was not happy to be told no. Hyland Hyland Harris manages Louis Armstrong House Museum's gift shop in what used to be the garage.
BACKGROUND
Louis Armstrong, the jazz legend, lived in many places. No one has lived in the house since the Armstrongs, and the house and its furnishings remain very much as they were during Louis and Lucille's lifetime. Today, the Louis Armstrong House Museum & Archives is open to the public, offering guided tours of Louis's longtime home. Audio clips of Louis's recordings from childhood are used to guide visitors through the house. Visitors can hear Louis playing his trumpet or enjoying his meal with friends. Visitor can enjoy the Armstrongs' beautifully Japanese-inspired garden as well as an exhibit that focuses on Louis's history and legacy.
The Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation gave the house to the Department of Culture Affairs after Lucille Armstrong died in 1983. The brick house, designed by Robert W. Johnson, was built in 1910 by Thomas Daly. The porch which used to be at the front of this house was demolished and the room was redesigned as a living space. Armstrongs constructed the garage and landscaped the yard. The Armstrongs also renovated the inside of the home. Louis Armstrong received souvenirs, paintings and other items while on tour in Asia, Europe, and Africa. These items have found homes on night stands, walls and dressers.
PRECAUTION SUR HEALTH and SAFETY
Louis Armstrong House Museum and Archives have been closed to prevent the spread COVID-19 and safeguard our visitors and staff. This Saturday, July 10th will see us host our first-ever in-person event: a Block Party. Register here to reserve your spot! In the weeks ahead, we will open our doors for tours. More details to follow. We remain dedicated to the safety and well-being of all our guests. This will mean that masks are necessary and we require social distancing. We are still closed for business until then. Cultural After School Adventure, (CASA).
ADMISSION
Adults $12. Seniors 65 and over, visitors with disabilities (caregivers at no charge), active duty military personnel, students and children under five years old: $8 Group rate (or more )**: $7) Members: $5. Admission includes access to the garden and exhibit areas, as well as a historical house tour. Any visitor who has special needs should make reservations. *Group visits not permitted.
OPENING HOURS
Saturday and Sunday 12PM to 5PM
Tuesdays: Open only for reserved groups of 8 or more people. __S.47__
Make your group reservation with form. You can only see the Museum through 40-minute guided historic house tours. The last tour starts at 4PM. __S.50__
If you're planning to visit the exhibit area or garden with at least 8 persons or require accommodations for a special group, a reservation would be highly appreciated.
Closed all Mondays and Tuesdays except for the following Holidays; Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve Christmas Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve or New Year's Day. __S.53__
The 4th of July is always open in memory of Louis, his traditional birthday.
ACCESSIBILITY
The entire ground floor (which includes the Welcome Center, Museum Store, exhibit area, and restroom) of the Museum is wheelchair-accessible. Two sets of stairs are required to complete the historic house tour. Standing for more than 40 minutes is recommended. Visitors who are physically unable to tour the house will receive a virtual version.
INSTRUCTIONS
The museum is in Queens City, New York City. It's close to LaGuardia Airport.
SubwayThe 7 train will take you to 103 St-Corona Plaza. Choose the exit on the north side of Roosevelt Avenue, and then take the stairs on your left. Turn right onto 103rd Street. Follow the route for 2 blocks to make a left on 37th Avenue. Follow the 107th Street route for four blocks. Half a block to the north is 37th Avenue. The Museum can be found on your left.
By Car via Long Island Expressway. Follow Long Island Expressway towards exit 22. From there, take Grand Central Parkway heading west towards the RFK Bridge. When you reach the end of the lane take a left turn at exit 9W. Follow this road straight to Northern Boulevard. Turn left onto 106th Street. Take another right onto 37th Avenue. Then, turn left again onto 107th Street. You will find the Museum 1/2 block north on 37th Avenue.
Car by RFK BridgeTurn east onto Grand Central Parkway, exit 8. At the stoplight, turn left and immediately take a left onto 31st Drive. Cross Astoria Boulevard and go 2 blocks until you reach Northern Boulevard. Make a left turn onto 106th Street, another left onto 37th Avenue, and an immediate left again onto 107th Street. It is 1/2 block north at 37th Avenue on your left.