Prospect Park, a renowned New York City green space, boasts the iconic Lena Horne Bandshell. This historic site has a rich history, dating back to the mid-19th century when it was a part of the estate of railroad magnate Edwin Litchfield. Let’s delve into the fascinating journey of how this bandshell came to be and explore its recent tribute to the legendary Lena Horne.
Before the Bandshell
The inception of Prospect Park can be traced back to 1859 when planning began. Designed by Fredrick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the park opened its gates in 1867. The area that now houses the Lena Horne Bandshell was once a part of Edwin Litchfield’s estate, a prominent railroad magnate of the time.
Notably, the western perimeter of Prospect Park was the last section to be secured. Initially, Olmsted and Vaux left this area blank in their plans, but by 1888, it was designated as the Archery Ground. By 1918, it had transformed into a space used by girls’ field hockey teams.
The Birth of the Bandshell
The tradition of hosting concerts in Prospect Park began in 1870 with the creation of the Concert Grove, followed by the Music Pagoda in 1887. Bandshells gained popularity in the 20th century for their excellent acoustics and spaces for dancing.
Funded by the Federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression, the construction of the Prospect Park bandshell was overseen by Aymar Embury II, the Chief Consulting Architect of the Parks Department. This magnificent structure opened its doors in 1941, along with an adjacent playground.
During the 1940s and 50s, the Lena Horne Bandshell hosted captivating dance concerts featuring music legends like Benny Goodman and Cab Calloway, attracting large crowds. While musical programming declined for a period, the Celebrate Brooklyn Performing Arts Festival, inaugurated in 1978, breathed new life into the tradition with contemporary popular musical acts. Local arts organization BRIC now offers a diverse program, encompassing world music, classical, new music, jazz, pop, alternative rock, and hip-hop.
Honoring a Brooklyn Icon
In a momentous decision in 2021, the Lena Horne Bandshell was renamed in the second phase of NYC Parks’ initiative to celebrate African American achievements in city parks. This bandshell received the distinguished name of Lena Mary Calhoun Horne (1917–2010), in honor of the legendary Brooklyn-born singer, actress, and civil rights activist.
Lena Horne’s journey began in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, where she attended Girls High School. At just 16 years old, she left school to join the chorus line at the famous Cotton Club in Harlem. Her Broadway debut took place in 1934 in “Dance With Your Gods,” followed by a return for “Lew Leslie’s Blackbirds of 1939.” Horne’s career soared when she signed a seven-year contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), making her the highest-earning Black performer of her time.
Her film career included roles in “Panama Hattie” (1942), and she later starred in all-Black films like “Cabin in the Sky” (1943) and “Stormy Weather” (1943). During World War II, she performed for the USO but distanced herself when Black servicemen were segregated behind German POWs. Nonetheless, she continued to support Black GIs of the segregated US Armed Forces.
Horne used her fame to advocate for fair and empowering portrayals of Black people in the entertainment industry, fighting against subservient or unintelligent roles. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, she toured the nightclub scene extensively, captivating audiences across the United States and Europe.
In 1981, Lena Horne achieved a Tony Award for “Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music.” Her contributions to American culture were further recognized when she received the Kennedy Center Honors Lifetime Achievement Award in 1984.
The Lena Horne Bandshell stands as a testament to the legacy of this remarkable Brooklyn icon and the enduring cultural significance of Prospect Park.