Louis Armstrong as remembered by his neighbors

Debra Rogers Grinage remembers it like it was yesterday. She and her sister, Robyn Rogers Edwards, and a group of other kids from the neighborhood, were listening to jazz legend Louis Armstrong sing the classic song “Hello Dolly” near his home on 107th Street in Corona, Queens.

Rogers Grinage went on to a career as an educator, sparked by Armstong’s mentorship.

What You Need To Know

The Corona Collection is a new oral history exhibition at the Louis Armstrong House Museum in Queens

It features interviews with 15 neighbors of the famed trumpet player and vocalist, from his time living on 107th Street in Corona

Armstrong lived in Corona with wife Lucille from 1943 until his death in 1971

“Our parents would say, ‘Listen, you treat people with respect, you be kind to people, you help peo