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TABLE OF CONTENTSInventory |
Guide to the Addisleigh Park Civic Organization, Inc. Records
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Descriptive Summary | ||
| Creator | Addisleigh Park Civic Organization, Inc. | |
| Title | Addisleigh Park Civic Organization, Inc. Records, | |
| Dates: | 2002-2009 (Bulk 2007-2008) | |
| Abstract: | The Addisleigh Park Civic Organization, Inc. Records (1 box, 2002-2009) provides information on the organization’s construction and purpose. Formed in 2002 to help maintain the standards of the neighborhood, located in St. Albans, Queens, the organization listed its desire to “promote civic pride in maintaining a stable, beautiful and desirable community”. The Organization organized petitions, corresponded with residents, and promoted the historical relevance of the community. Addisleigh Park was given historical landmark status in February 2011. | |
| Extent: | 1 box, .5 cubic feet | |
| Identification: | A-9 | |
| Location: | The material is located in the Archives at Queens Library. | |
Historical/Biographical Note
The Addisleigh Park Civic Organization, Inc. was formed in 2002 “to establish active and direct liaison with community residents and city agencies to ensure a clean, safe and wholesome residential community”¹. The organization consists of nine standing committees that focus on different aspects of the Addisleigh Park neighborhood. The organization’s activities include corresponding with community leaders and residents on ways to improve the neighborhood, petitioning for surveillance cameras to ward of criminal activity, and also in promoting the historic relevance of Addisleigh Park.
Addisleigh Park is located in the 4th ward of Queens, NY in the section of the borough called St. Albans. After World War II members of the Afro-American community started to purchase homes in the area. After initial resistance from the white residents Addisleigh Park became known as a beautiful elegantly upholstered section of St. Albans. Many famous African American celebrities were known to live in the private community. Stars such as Lena Horne, James Brown, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, and Jackie Robinson called Addisleigh Park home. Over the years the community has changed but the quality of life has remained relatively intact. In the late 1990’s talk began about having the community designated as a landmark. The Addisleigh Park Civic Organization corresponded with local and state Government officials to help promote Addisleigh Park in the historical sense.
On February 1, 2011 the Landmarks Preservation Commission designated Addisleigh Park as a landmark protecting its 422 buildings from demolition or any other zoning changes. It is the first historic district in southeastern Queens.
¹ Addisleigh Park Civic Organization, Inc. “Constitution & By-Laws” 2002
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Scope and Content Note
The Addisleigh Park Civic Organization, Inc. Records (1 box, 2002 – 2009) document the activities of the St. Albans’ based group devoted to the promotion of civic pride and beautification of the Addisleigh Park residential community. The collection consists of one box made up of nine folders. The collection contains two series and the folders are arranged in alphabetical order by title.
Addisleigh Park: History (1 folder, 2008) contains the transcript to a statement given to the Historic District Council on the history and significance of the Addisleigh Park community. The written statement highlights Addisleigh Park’s creation and illustrious residents over the years.
Complaints & Grievances (2 folders, 2006 – 2009) these folders contain letters from Addisleigh Park residents and their concerns on various subjects from burglary, to noise, to liter, and stray animals. The Civic Organization tried hard to address the various problems in the community. The other sets of letters are correspondence between the organization and the New York State Department of Transportation. A street corner in the community was the site of various accidents and the Addisleigh Park Civic Organization worked hard to highlight the need for traffic lights.
Constitution & By-Laws (1 folder, 2002) consists of the write up of the constitution and by-laws of the organization with a listing of the group’s purpose and duties of the various committees and members.
Correspondence (2 folders, 2005-2008) contains letters between the Addisleigh Park organization and local representatives and residents. These letters do not contain complaints or concerns but offer praise for the works of the organization. There are also letters about the installation of surveillance cameras in the community.
News Articles (1 folder, 2007-2008) various news articles about the Addisleigh Park community with an emphasis on the neighborhood acquiring landmark status and the famous past residents.
Veterans Administration Primary & Extended Care Center (1 folder, 2007-2009) includes articles and correspondence as it relates to the redesigning of a VA Hospital in the Addisleigh Park community. The government had plans to restructure the site with housing for non-veterans. Members of the community were concerned with the possible construction and several meetings were held to voice opinions.
Zoning (1 folder, 2006-2007) contains maps and diagrams of a proposed zoning effort by the Department of City Planning in 2006.
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Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Published citations should take the following form:
Creator of item, date of item (if known), identification of item, if a photograph its control number. The Addisleigh Park Civic Organization, Inc. Records, Archives at Queens Library, Queens Borough Public Library.
Provenance
Greg Mays, President of the Addisleigh Park Civic Organization, Inc., donated these records to the Archives at Queens Library.
Access Restrictions
Open for research without restrictions. Manuscripts are only available in the Archives at Queens Library, please call (718) 990-0770 for hours. Manuscript users will be required to complete the division's Manuscript Usage Form and deposit their photograph identification or Queens Borough Public Library card with a staff member. The identification will be returned to the user after she/he has returned the material. Manuscript users will deposit all their personal items behind the reference desk. Manuscript users must use the division's loose sheets of paper for note taking. To reiterate, no pen of any type is permitted. Paper and a pencil are available upon request. Manuscript users may be required to use special handling procedures depending on the conditions of the material.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the:
- Archives at Queens Library
- Queens Borough Public Library
- 89-11 Merrick Boulevard
- Jamaica, NY 11432
- Phone: (718) 990-0770.
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Access Points
Subject Organizations:
- Addisleigh Park Civic Organization, Inc.
Subject Topics:
- Landmarks
Subject Places:
- Saint Albans (New York, N.Y.)
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Inventory
[The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.]
