Written and maintained by the Louis Armstrong Fellows.
As a Fellow at the Louis Armstrong House Museum and Archives I get to see first hand the personal belongings of Louis and Lucille Armstrong. Since beginning my fellowship, I have been fascinated with the Armstrongs’ record collection. For my first curated collection of images on the Collections website , I selected a few images... Continue Reading →
From decade to decade, times change drastically as we progress forward in society. No doubt, change is inevitable, but not all things change--at least not as quickly as one would hope. One such issue which seems to somehow continue to be a hot-button topic is marijuana. Marijuana, its legitimacy as a medicinal drug, the penal... Continue Reading →
It is no surprise to anyone that celebrities often get scrutinized for voicing unpopular opinions to the public. It is, in a sense, expected for some form of controversy to befall a much-adored public figure at some point in time. In the case of Louis Armstrong, he was no exception. When viewing Armstrong based on... Continue Reading →
Louis Armstrong lived from 1901 to 1971 and during his life he traveled over 300 days a year, which could take its toll on anyone physically. How did Pops do it? Well it was a combination of laxatives, a diet high in meat and rice, and entertaining people across the world on a nightly basis.... Continue Reading →
Unfettered Character: Louis’ Early years in New Orleans One of the benefits of living in modernity is the ability to look back onto bygone eras and feel the warmth of societal progress. To be able to feel as if we as a collective have come so far from behavior, actions, laws, and populist mindsets that... Continue Reading →
Last week was my introduction to being a fellow at the Louis Armstrong House Museum and Archives. I met a lot of new people, saw some old faces, and learned new things about the museum business and working at an archive. Beginning my job as a fellow at the museum and archives was both a... Continue Reading →
My week of orientation to the Louis Armstrong House Museum fellowship has been an insightful glimpse into the both wonderful and challenging projects that lie ahead. Out of the gate I was made to feel at home and to be part of a team that continues to honor the legacy of Louis Armstrong while fostering... Continue Reading →
Louis' musicality made him an icon that brought public attention to the African American community through a plethora of ways (e.g. live performances, tours, and movie features). While most people can understand and and acknowledge how Louis broke barriers for the African American community in music and film, some find the roles he played to... Continue Reading →
In 1901 Louis was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, a city that authorized segregation through Jim Crow laws, supported the racial caste system, and frankly, white supremacy. An interesting and pivotal time for the the African American community due to the substantial legal gains made in the abolition of slavery and equality, e.g. the... Continue Reading →
