The Louis Armstrong House Museum (34-56 107th St, Queens, NY 11368) announces the debut of The Corona Collection, a compelling new oral history exhibition, initiated in 2024, that shines a spotlight on the voices, memories, and legacies of the Corona and East Elmhurst communities that Lucille and Louis Armstrong were part of. 

Opening to the public on Thursday, October 2, 2025, The Corona Collection brings Lucille and Louis Armstrong to life through the voices of neighbors who knew them personally- preserving their cherished memories, heartfelt stories and neighborhood histories. These oral histories offer an intimate look into the life Louis and Lucille lived in the neighborhood. The exhibition will be open to the public through March 2026.

“When Louis Armstrong sang What a Wonderful World with the lyrics “I hear babies cry, I watch them grow” he was speaking about the kids in his neighborhood of Corona and East Elmhurst Queens. The Corona Collection of oral histories exhibition shares the voices of this community – people who grew up next to Louis and Lucille Armstrong, and are sharing their stories with us. As James Blake, an interviewee states, ‘The music was wonderful, but the man was even greater.’ This is a portrait, not just of the Armstrongs, but of the power of community.” Regina Bain, Executive Director, Louis Armstrong House Museum

“The Corona Collection illuminates the interconnected lives within the community, highlighting the profound impact mentors like Louis and Lucille Armstrong had on their neighbors. These oral histories go beyond the personal narratives, contributing to the shared, intergenerational memory of the neighborhood.” Charanya Ramakrishnan, The Corona Collection project lead & Director of Community Engagement. 

Among the 15 neighbors who shared their stories, one of the featured narrators is Willie Johnson, who grew up in Corona and is featured in an iconic photo from when he was a child, sitting on the Armstrong steps and learning to play the trumpet. Mr. Johnson, a powerful voice in the exhibition, offers rich reflections on the tight-knit community that surrounded the Armstrongs. Johnson, who currently resides in Georgia, will return to Queens to participate in the exhibition’s opening events in the fall. Willie Johnson holds a double masters and currently works in the area of Forensic Mental Health.

“Louis Armstrong instilled in me that whatever light you have within yourself, don’t stifle it. Allow for it to shine. He would always say, keep your head up and don’t ever let someone make you behave other than who you are. Louis Armstrong taught me that art is creativity at its finest, so I got into playing music. He didn’t glamorize himself with me because of his fame and his music. He was more humble, caring and understanding.”  Willie Johnson

Denise Pease, a longtime neighbor of the Armstrongs who grew up in Corona and was mentored by Lucille Armstrong, reflects on the profound influence the Armstrongs had on her life and career. Over the years, she has worked under four U.S presidents and held positions in the city, state and national level. 

James Blake, a professor at the Counseling Center at Borough of Manhattan Community College, CUNY, grew up in the neighborhood and at one point lived next door to the Armstrongs. The house he and his sister once lived in was later abandoned and put up for sale. In 1971, The Armstrongs purchased the property and transformed it into a beautiful garden, now part of the historic house. James Blake eloquently reflected on what it meant to live right next to the jazz legend. Here is a preview of his captivating story.

The Museum will host a special community celebration on Saturday, October 4, honoring the contributors to The Corona Collection and the broader neighborhood. The event will feature special screenings of the oral histories, guided tours, food, music, and a chance for the invited guests to connect with the stories.

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