Saturday, June 10, 2017
11am-1pm
Corona-East Elmhurst has become one of the largest and most intercultural Latino communities in NYC. Originally part of the Colonial Village of Newtown, established in the 1600s by Dutch and African settlers, over course of its history it has been home to sizable Italian, African-American, Caribbean, German, Irish, Jewish and Swedish populations; simultaneously. It also has a history as a horse-racing destination, a railroad and baseball town and a haven for New York’s jazz community. On this two-hour tour we will explore these aspects of Corona-East Elmhurst’s heritage concentrating on the Corona portion of this historically diverse community. Sights include historic houses of worship, a 19th-century country villa, beloved local parks, eateries, and the longtime home of music legend Louis Armstrong, as well as the former residence of his friend and fellow legend, John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie, who along with Charlie Parker, ushered in the era of Be-Bop into the American jazz tradition. Tour participants will have the option of extending their tour by continuing with the guide to the World’s Fair Marina, a waterfront promenade where the mysterious Candela structures stand.