JUNIOR ARMSTEAD

Junior Armstead is one of Louis Armstrong’s neighbors. He lives around the corner from the Museum! Junior moved to New York at age five and vividly remembers the 9th of July in 1971. While walking home from school, he couldn’t access the neighborhood. He saw so many people blocking the street and wondered what was happening. After asking, someone told him “It’s Satchmo’s funeral.” 

Junior joined the museum in 2015. Prior to that he was responsible for the upkeep and improvement of facilities with the New York City Hospital Elmhurst, Bellevue, Lincoln Hospital and North Center of the Bronx. 

Today, Junior is the caretaker of the historic Armstrong House, responsible for maintenance and security of the premises. He sure loves to keep the Garden as beautiful as Lucille left it.

In his free time, Junior enjoys cooking for his grandkids and when asked about his favorite Louis Armstrong song he said: “It’s impossible to choose just one!” He enjoys all of Louis’ records and goes by Louis’ advice to “Listen to all kinds of music!” 

Finally, what motivates Junior to work at the museum is meeting so many people from all around the world.