The Louis Armstrong House Museum

The Louis Armstrong House Museum (LAHM) sustains and promotes the cultural, historical, and humanitarian legacy of Louis Armstrong by preserving and interpreting Armstrong’s house and grounds, collecting and sharing archival materials that document Armstrong’s life and legacy, developing programs for the public that educate and inspire, and engaging with contemporary artists to create performances and new works.

Louis Armstrong passed away in 1971. His wife, Lucille, continued to live in their home on 107th Street in Corona, Queens, working to ensure that it became a National and New York Historic Landmark. Lucille expressed the desire for the home and archives to become a museum honoring her husband. After Lucille’s passing in 1983, she willed the home and its contents to the city of New York which designated the City University of New York, Queens College to shepherd the process. It took decades, but the archives became accessible in the 90’s, and the historic house opened for public tours in 2003.

Since 2003, this National Historic Landmark has been open to the public weekly for individual and group tours with support provided by the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, Queens College/CUNY, and other lead donors and partners.

LAHM is in the midst of a dramatic physical and programmatic transformation marked by the opening of the new Louis Armstrong Center, including a 75-seat performance space, a state of the art multimedia exhibition, and the Armstrong Archival Collections. The Center will allow us to live the Armstrong values of Artistic Excellence, Education and Community through programs such as Armstrong Now!, Voices of Freedom, and Pops is Tops.

For local neighbors, city, national, and international visitors, the new campus will permanently establish Armstrong’s legacy as one of the most influential figures in American and Global History.

Pedro Espinoza: pedro.espinoza@qc.cuny.edu

Visit the Louis Armstrong House Museum website