Press Release

For Immediate Release: November 24, 2025
Contact: lpcpressoffice@lpc.nyc.gov, 212-669-7938

LPC Unveils New Historic District Markers Commemorating Addisleigh Park Historic District in Queens

LPC joined New York State Senator Leroy Comrie, New York State Assemblymember Alicia Hyndman, New York City Councilmember Nantasha Williams, the New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation, Historic Districts Council, and the Addisleigh Park Civic Organization to unveil new markers celebrating the district's rich history

Addisleigh Park Historic District is an important symbol of the resilience and strength of New York City's Black community, who overcame discriminatory racial barriers to homeownership

Initially an exclusively white development, Addisleigh Park ultimately become home to a vibrant Black community, including prominent musicians, athletes, and other public figures

New York – Today, New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) Executive Director Lisa Kersavage joined New York State Senator Leroy Comrie, New York State Assemblymember Alicia Hyndman, New York City Councilmember Nantasha Williams, the New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation (NYLPF), Historic Districts Council (HDC), and Addisleigh Park Civic Organization in Queens to unveil new markers commemorating Addisleigh Park Historic District's rich history and remarkable sense of place.

Initially conceived as an exclusively white development in the 1910s and 1920s, starting in the 1940s Addisleigh Park became home to a vibrant Black community who successfully challenged and overcame racially restrictive covenants that prohibited selling property to Black homebuyers. By the mid-20th century, the neighborhood achieved national prominence as the home of many celebrated musicians and athletes, including Ella Fitzgerald, William James "Count" Basie, Lena Horne, Thomas "Fats" Waller, James Brown, Jackie Robinson, Joe Louis, and Roy Campanella, as well as other public figures like political and business leader Percy Ellis Sutton, and many residents who were active in the Civil Rights Movement.

"The Addisleigh Park Historic District stands as a testament to the strength and perseverance of New York City's Black community in their pursuit of equality and the fundamental right to homeownership," said Landmarks Preservation Commission Executive Director Lisa Kersavage. "The new historic district markers unveiled today honor the neighborhood's vital role in our nation's ongoing struggle for social justice, and these historic markers will stand as lasting reminders of the enduring impact of community and the power of preservation."

"The beautiful tree-lined blocks and historic homes of Addisleigh Park reflect the generations who have shaped this vibrant community through resilience, pride, and steadfast determination," said Landmarks Preservation Commission Vice Chair Angie Master. "With the installation of the markers today, we honor the historic character of this remarkable neighborhood and celebrate the dedication of its residents, whose unwavering commitment to their community has helped ensure its preservation for generations to come."

"Addisleigh Park's history is a testament to the families, artists, educators and civic leaders who built a community grounded in excellence and perseverance. Preserving this legacy ensures that future generations understand the significance of this neighborhood and the trailblazers who called it home," said New York State Senator Leroy Comrie. "I am honored to have been able to fund the study and research required to achieve this status while I was in the city council. I want to thank the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, our civic partners and the residents whose advocacy has kept Addisleigh Park's story alive."

"Addisleigh Park has long been an inspiring place where Black excellence was celebrated, nurtured, and made visible for the entire community," said New York State Assemblymember Alicia Hyndman. "These new historic district markers honor that legacy and ensure that the powerful story of this neighborhood continues to motivate future generations. I am proud to stand with our partners to recognize and preserve this remarkable chapter of our collective history in Southeast Queens."

"Addisleigh Park is a vibrant community with a rich history, built by neighbors who cared for each other and for this place. It's a neighborhood where families have grown, stories have been shared, and culture has thrived. From world-renowned artists and athletes to the families who built their lives here quietly and proudly, their stories still shape the heartbeat of our district today," said New York City Councilmember Dr. Nantasha Williams. "I'm grateful to stand with our neighbors and partners as we honor this legacy in a visible way and ensure the history made here will continue to be known and celebrated for generations to come."

"The New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation is proud to celebrate the unveiling of new markers for the Addisleigh Park Historic District in Queens," said NYLPF Chair Tom Krizmanic. "We hope these signs are a lasting tribute to the spirit of resilience and the importance of equality that this community shares.”

"HDC is thrilled at the installation of official Addisleigh Park Historic District markers, which will help make visible the incredible history of this unique enclave. We salute the community for remaining dedicated and passionate stewards of their own rich history and architecture," said Historic Districts Council Executive Director Frampton Tolbert. "HDC has been proud to be a partner in all of the neighborhood's preservation efforts for more than a decade, including historic district designation and most recently, listing on the National Register of Historic Places."

"We are very pleased to share this ceremony installing historic markers in Addisleigh Park with the Landmarks Preservation Commission and Councilmember Nantasha Williams," said Addisleigh Park Civic Association President William Scarborough. "This is another tribute to the unique and special nature of our Addisleigh Park community and the outstanding citizens that have made Addisleigh Park their home in the past, and our outstanding current residents who continue to make our community special "

"Growing up in Historical Addisleigh Park peppers your perspective with pride," said Addisleigh Park Civic Association Historian Lisa Wade. "You realize that you are a part of a greater story of Black Excellence and Success." 

Addisleigh Park was originally developed in the early 20th century, following the opening of the St. Albans station on the Long Island Railroad. It includes St. Albans Park and approximately 422 houses built primarily between the 1910s to the 1930s that are set back from the street, many on large, landscaped lots, with a consistent scale that gives the neighborhood a suburban feel. Built in brick, stucco, wood, and stone, the homes reflect the predominant architectural styles of the early part of the 20th century, including English Tudor Revival, Colonial Revival, and the Arts and Crafts styles.

As in other areas of Queens and Long Island, racially restrictive covenants were introduced in Addisleigh Park in the 1930s and 1940s, which barred the sale of houses to Black homebuyers. Despite these legal barriers, Black families began to circumvent the restrictions, sometimes by purchasing homes through third parties. In a 1947 New York State Supreme Court decision, the judge upheld the legality of the covenants, but noted the neighborhood was already home to 48 Black families. In 1948, after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that covenants were unconstitutional, the neighborhood further diversified, and by 1952, it had become such a center for prominent Black residents that the magazine Our World called Addisleigh Park home to the "richest and most gifted African Americans in New York."  

LPC designated Addisleigh Park as a historic district in 2011, and the neighborhood remains a distinctive enclave with a strong sense of community.  

Today's marker installation is part of the NYLPF's Historic District Marker Program, which fosters public awareness and civic pride in designated historic districts in the five boroughs, and the markers are produced and installed by the NYC Department of Transportation. A total of five markers sponsored by HDC and NYLPF were installed today across the Addisleigh Park Historic District.

The newly installed markers are 19-by-36-inch terra cotta-colored signs and feature a map on one side and a brief description and history of the district on the other. The marker text reads as follows:

The Addisleigh Park Historic District, designated in 2011, is significant as a distinctive enclave with a strong sense of place and a rich history symbolizing Black New Yorkers' struggle for equality and resilience in the face of racism and discrimination. Initially an exclusively white development, members of the city's Black community bypassed racially restrictive covenants, sometimes by purchasing property through third parties. By the 1940s and 1950s, Addisleigh Park had become home to celebrated Black musicians and athletes, including Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Lena Horne, and Jackie Robinson, and many residents active in the Civil Rights Movement. The district includes St. Albans Park and over 400 homes built from the 1910s to 1930s in the English Tudor Revival, Colonial Revival, and Arts and Crafts styles with a consistent scale that gives the neighborhood a suburban feel.

More Information

Photos of Addisleigh Park Historic District and today's marker unveiling event

Addisleigh Park Historic District designation report

About the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC)

The Landmarks Preservation Commission is the mayoral agency responsible for protecting and preserving New York City's architecturally, historically, and culturally significant buildings and sites. Since its creation in 1965, LPC has granted landmark status to more than 38,000 buildings and sites, including 1,470 individual landmarks, 125 interior landmarks, 12 scenic landmarks, and 157 historic districts and extensions in all five boroughs. For more information, visit LPC's website and connect with us at Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and LinkedIn.

About the New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation (NYLPF)

The New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that supports work that relates to the designation of New York City landmarks, including the well-recognized Bronze Plaque Program for individual landmarks, the Street Sign Program, and the Historic District Marker Program. For more information, visit http://www.nylpf.org

About the Historic Districts Council (HDC)

The Historic Districts Council is the citywide advocate for all of New York's historic neighborhoods. We work to ensure the preservation of significant neighborhoods, buildings, and public spaces, uphold the integrity of New York City's Landmarks Law, and further the preservation ethic. For more information, visit https://hdc.org/