Written and maintained by the Louis Armstrong Fellows.
“A Cat’s Tale” Tatjana Lightbourn How would you define a cat? Is the definition of a cat even relevant to you and how you define the story of your life? In a 1956 interview with Edward R. Murrow, Louis describes his definition of cat, “a cat can be anybody from the guy in the gutta to... Continue Reading →
When people say “you learn something new every day” that statement should not be taken lightly. Throughout my time at the Louis Armstrong House Museum and Archives I have learned a lot about museum and archive work, Louis Armstrong, and how to navigate the world. The experience that I had during my fellowship is something... Continue Reading →
Few musicians can be synonymous with a style of music such as Louis is to jazz and, still shock and astonish listeners many decades after his passing. The music that Louis played is truly eternal and one of the greatest gifts my time here at LAHM has provided for me is not only a deeper... Continue Reading →
Summertime, an' the livin' is easy Fish are jumpin' an' the cotton is high. Oh, yo' daddy's rich and yo' ma is good-lookin' So hush, little baby, don' you cry. Those lyrics from the song "Summertime" in the opera Porgy and Bess summarize the feelings people experience during the summer. The summer is the time... Continue Reading →
To Louis Armstrong, family meant everything. From his band members to his actual family members, those who were close to Louis experienced his warmth and generosity. It did not matter if he had not seen you in a long period of time, Louis always greeted people that he knew with happiness and joy. In this... Continue Reading →
What is the purpose of documenting oral history? Oddly enough this is a question that was not given much consideration prior to the midcentury. The public has generally relied on the interpretation of its collective history to be articulated via the masters of ivory towers but what about the interpretation of history from those that... Continue Reading →
Way down yonder in New Orleans, the people are known nationwide for the delicious and soulful cuisine that puts smiles on faces and happiness in bellies. New Orleans is a melting pot of cultures that has contributed to the rich and illustrious culinary traditions of the city. What comes along with the delicious meals that... Continue Reading →
We’ve all been stuck at home for a while now and from the amount of people I see on the news breaking social distancing, people are getting tired of it. The weather is getting nice and people want to go places, however, we all should still practice social distancing and stay home. But just because... Continue Reading →
This week I wanted to take a moment to appreciate the importance of historic landmarks and sites. The majority of us are facing social withdrawal from the COVID-19 pandemic that plagues the states and elsewhere around the world. We all yearn to return to normalcy and revisit the places that we enjoy for various reasons.... Continue Reading →
During this time of quarantine, many people miss doing their favorite extracurricular activities like going to the park, playing sports, or visiting a museum. Libraries have always been places where people can congregate and learn about different places, people, and ideas. In times of distress, like the Great Depression, people had to create new ways... Continue Reading →
