Louis Armstrong House Museum Wins Partners in Preservation Funds

Louis Armstrong House Museum was awarded $150,000 in discretionary funds from the Partners in Preservation (PIP) grant contest. The grant contest, sponsored by American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, was New York City's first-ever preservation contest. The funds awarded to LAHM will be used to help restore Louis's Garden. Louis Armstrong celebrated his 71st birthday in his beloved garden, and then passed away two days later.

"We are deeply grateful to American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation for awarding $150,000 to the Louis Armstrong House Museum," stated Michael Cogswell, Director of Louis Armstrong House Museum. "The campaign proves that Louis and Lucille's home is beloved all over the world. Thanks to this grant, the public can enjoy the Armstrong's beautiful garden, as well as concerts and special events in the garden, for many years to come."

As part of its annual Louis Armstrong birthday celebration, LAHM will host a book signing with author Randy Fertel on July 4th at 1:00 pm. Visitors are invited to enjoy Fertel reading excerpts from his book The Gorilla Man and the Empress of Steak: A New Orleans Family Memoir. "Anyone who loves New Orleans music, New Orleans food, and New Orleans culture, will love this book," said Cogswell. "And Louis appears many times throughout Randy's book." Because Armstrong believed that he was born on the Fourth of July, the Museum is always open for tours on the Fourth of July.

Continuing the summer celebration, LAHM hosts the York College Blue Notes in a free concert on August 4th at 2:00 pm. This annual big band concert showcases talented musicians from the York College Summer Jazz Institute.

The annual Jazzmobile summer block party, one of LAHM's most popular events, culminates the summer season. On Thursday, August 16 at 7:00 pm, Mexican-born Arturo O'Farrill, pianist, composer, educator and winner of the Latin Jazz USA Outstanding Achievement Award for 2003, will perform. Please note that Arturo Sandoval will not be performing as originally announced.