LPC Commissioner Gene A. Norman with former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis testifying in 1984 to protect the New York Landmarks Law.
Michael Henry Adams arrested while protesting the demolition of the Renaissance Ballroom and Casino.
Photo: Antwan Minter, Huffington Post.
Donna Van Der Zee.
James Van Der Zee Archive, The Metropolitan Museum of Art; Gift of Donna Van Der Zee, 2021. Copyright © James Van Der Zee Archive, The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
New York State Senator Cordell Cleare.
Photo: Official New York State Senate Photo.
Alfred Warren Gene Norman, Feb1935-Sep 2020, was the first, and to date only, African American Chairman of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC). Serving under Mayor Edward I. Koch in the 1980s, Norman helped defeat New York State legislation that would have exempted religious institutions from landmarks designation, and oversaw the preservation of St. Bartholomew's Church. During his tenure as chairman, LPC granted landmark designation to the Coty and Rizzoli Buildings on Fifth Avenue; the Ladies Mile shopping area from 15th to 24th Streets, between Park Avenue South and Avenue of the Americas; and the Coney Island Cyclone. Norman was widely praised for his superior skill in navigating New York City's landmarking bureaucracy.
Meet our Honorees:
Michael Henry Adams, Historian and Preservationist
A. Philip Randolph-Bayard Rustin Lifetime Achievement Award
Michael Henry Adams is an activist and Harlem resident. A fine arts graduate of the University of Akron, Adams trained in Columbia University's graduate historic preservation program, and studied English country houses at the Attingham Summer School. His books include Style and Grace: African Americans at Home (2002), and Harlem Lost and Found: An Architectural and Social History 1765-1915 (2001). He is currently at work on Homo Harlem: A Chronicle of Lesbian and Gay Life in the African American Cultural Capital 1915-1995. Adams is a passionate supporter of historic preservation and is a co-founder of Save Harlem Now!
Donna Van Der Zee, Widow of James Van Der Zee
Arturo Schomburg Stewardship Award
Donna Van Der Zee is the widow of renowned photographer James Van Der Zee, a central figure who captured the essence of Harlem during the Harlem Renaissance and beyond. After Van Der Zee's passing in 1983, Donna became a dedicated steward of his vast archive, ensuring the preservation and accessibility of his iconic work. In 2021, Donna played a pivotal role in establishing the James Van Der Zee Archive at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. This landmark collaboration safeguards more than 20,000 prints, 30,000 negatives, and Van Der Zee's studio equipment, guaranteeing public access to his invaluable contribution to the visual narrative of African American history. Donna's commitment extends beyond mere preservation. She actively participates in symposiums and exhibitions, sharing insights into Van Der Zee's life and artistic process. Her dedication ensures that the legacy of James Van Der Zee will continue to inspire and inform generations to come.
New York State Senator Cordell Cleare
Denny Farrell Heritage Award
New York State Senator Cordell Cleare was raised in Harlem, where her family has lived for four generations. Senator Cleare is currently serving her second term from District 30, representing the Central Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Upper West Side, Morningside Heights, Manhattanville, Hamilton Heights, and Washington Heights neighborhoods. She serves as Chair of the Senate Aging Committee. Senator Cleare is one of Save Harlem Now!'s most ardent cheerleaders, most recently co-hosting our August 28, 2023 Historic Harlem Marker event at the headquarters for the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, at 170 West 130th Street.