I’m pleased to report that the New York State Board for Historic Preservation unanimously approved the nomination of Bayard Rustin’s home at 340 West 28th Street in the Penn South complex for Landmark status today. We believe this move is one of the first landmark designations to recognize the importance of an African American gay man’s home.

Following this move, the New York State Historic Preservation Office will prepare the nomination and forward it on to the National Register program in Washington, DC for review. If Bayard Rustin’s home receives approval for the National Register it will join four other explicitly LGBTQ sites on the Register.

Bayard Rustin’s Apartment. Courtesy Walter Naegle.

Bayard Rustin at his apartment. Courtesy Walter Naegle.