Roy Wilkins
New York, Queens County, New York
Marker Inscription
Roy Wilkins 1901-1981 Civil rights leader and journalist Roy Wilkins lived here from 1952 to 1981. A chief advocate of the Constitutional process in the civil rights movement, he helped plan the 1963 March on Washington, and worked the passage of Voting Rights Act (1955), the Civil Rights Act (1964), and the Fair Housing Act (1968). His name was synonymous with the NAACP- he served the organization for 46 years as assistant secretary, editor of the Crisis magazine, and finally executive director.
Erected by Historic Landmarks Preservation Center
The Story
Roy Wilkins, one of the most influential civil rights leaders of the 20th century, lived in this Queens home from 1952 until his death in 1981. A journalist and longtime editor of the NAACP's "The Crisis," he served the organization for 46 years, becoming its executive director. A champion of working through constitutional and legislative means, he helped plan the 1963 March on Washington and press for landmark civil rights, voting rights, and fair housing laws.
Why it matters
Wilkins guided the NAACP through the decisive decades of the civil rights movement, helping turn its legal and political strategy into national law.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- South Street Seaport Museum9.9 mi away · 12 Fulton Street
- 81 Leonard Gallery10.0 mi away
- Hall des Lumières10.0 mi away · 49 Chambers Street, New York, NY
- Bureau10.1 mi away · 112 Duane Street
- Gerben Fine Art10.2 mi away
- Small Editions10.2 mi away · 60 Sackett Street, Brooklyn, NY
Attractions
- Brooklyn Flea9.4 mi away
- Brooklyn Bridge9.6 mi away
- Bloody Angle9.6 mi away
- Chinatown9.7 mi away
- Brooklyn Heights Promenade9.7 mi away
- Kayak Brooklyn9.7 mi away
Food & drink
- Maman11.5 mi away
- Sweetgreen11.5 mi away
- Bluestone Lane11.5 mi away
- Yaso11.5 mi away · 30 Hudson Street, Jersey City, NJ
- Semicolon Cafe11.6 mi away
- Krispy Pizza11.6 mi away · 33 Hudson Street, Jersey City, NJ
Places to stay
- Holiday Inn Express10.1 mi away · 126 Water Street, New York, NY
- Hotel Indigo10.1 mi away · 120 Water Street, New York, NY
- The Wall Street Hotel10.2 mi away · 88 Wall Street, New York, NY
- Hyatt Centric10.2 mi away · 75 Wall Street, New York, NY
- Radisson Hotel New York Wall Street10.2 mi away · 52 William Street, New York, NY
- Holiday Inn10.2 mi away · 51 Nassau Street
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Related people
- · Roy Wilkins
Related events
- · March on Washington
- · Civil Rights Act of 1964
- · Voting Rights Act
- · Fair Housing Act
Themes & tags
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