Bayard Rustin Residence Listed on the National Register of Historic Places!

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Bayard Rustin with his cane collection in his apartment at Penn South, 1980s. Source: Bayard Rustin Residence National Register Nomination.

Bayard Rustin (1912-1987), a highly influential African-American civil rights leader and later gay rights activist, organized the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom — among other accomplishments — while living in his long-time Penn South residence in Chelsea. He often could not take credit for his work because he lived as an openly gay man.

In honor of his significant contributions to American history, Rustin’s residence in Penn South was added to the National Register of Historic Places today! The addition of Rustin’s residence to the National Register brings the total of LGBT-specific sites on the list to five. Last December, the Bayard Rustin Residence was also listed on the New York State Register of Historic Places.

Read the official nomination, written by Mark Meinke of the Rainbow Heritage Network, and also be sure to take a look at our Bayard Rustin Residence site page.

Related Links

Bayard Rustin Residence National Register Nomination

Bayard Rustin Residence Site Page