We promised something special with our “Hanging With Hyland” series and here it is! The Louis Armstrong House Museum remains closed because of the pandemic but that didn’t stop our own Hyland Harris from recently filming a behind-the-scenes walk-through of the Armstrong House. As you’ll hear, he calls this “The Bessie Tour” in honor of Bessie Williams, Lucille Armstrong’s devoted housekeeper who continued taking care of the Armstrong House until 2000. Hyland gets deep in each room to provide new stories and views for those who have never visited the House and for those who have been to Corona but are longing for some new information. (My own filmed version of our standard tour is still available on this tour under the Virtual Tour tab.)
In this first part, In Part 1, Hyland takes us through the living room, downstairs bathroom and dining room. We’ll be sharing one segment a week for the next four weeks so keep checking back for more!
7/25/26
Thank you for this opportunity!
I just took the tour of his home… and it was surreal to be in the actual surroundings where this iconic star shared his rare moments of rest and privacy. It was truly amazing in such an understated way. It felt like stepping back into the 1960s—stretching over to see your neighbor for a quick hello—only to be instantly reminded of whose living room you were actually standing in.
The kitchen and bathrooms were a real time capsule blast! And the office, in particular, was extra special for me. Seeing Louie’s many reel-to-reels and his demo library, where so much of his world-loved magic came to life, was incredible. My father was an opera singer during that same era, even a bit earlier, and Pop’s equipment and effects were an exact replica!
And God bless Lucille Wilson, Louie’s last wife. Talk about being ahead of her time! Ms. Wilson singlehandedly loved this man enough to recognize the enormous impact Louie had made—and how vital it was to preserve his home, his music, and his legacy. She fought to have it recognized for its landmark and historical significance. She was a dynamo in her own right, with a deep understanding of “things to come.”
She was also a community activist—and an absolute “wallpaper” junkie… You’ll see exactly what I mean the moment you cross the doorway into this unique, beautifully preserved bygone era.
God bless Satchmo and Lucille. And most of all, God bless the hardworking individuals at the Louis Armstrong Center and the historic home who meticulously care for and preserve the world of one of America’s greatest citizens and most beloved icons.
With love, “Giovanni Sanseviero