Keepers of the City: LL Cool J, the McGuires and New York’s 2026 Living Landmarks Light Up The Plaza

By THT Events Desk

From The Harlem Times: The Akan of Ghana carry a symbol for the proverb “Se wo were fi na wosankofa a yenkyi”: it is not wrong to go back for that which you have forgotten. The symbol is Sankofa, a bird whose feet face forward while its head turns back to retrieve an egg it left behind. A city, too, must move forward while carrying what it treasures. For decades, the New York Landmarks Conservancy has been the bird’s turned head, reaching back for the buildings, churches and stories New Yorkers cannot afford to lose.

On November 4, more than 400 guests filled the Plaza Ballroom for the Conservancy’s 2026 Living Landmarks Celebration, a record-setting night that raised more than $1.4 million. The 2026 Living Landmarks are LL Cool J; Crystal McCrary McGuire and Raymond J. McGuire; the Durst Family (Helena Durst and Nan A. Rothschild); Jamee and Peter Gregory; Jane Hartley and Ralph Schlosstein; and Peter Marino. Stephen S. Lash hosted. The Harlem Times asked Conservancy President Peg Breen about the honorees and the Conservancy’s work uptown. Her answers are in quotation marks below, in her own words.

Three honorees, in Breen’s words

LL COOL J “sponsors a free basketball camp each August for children in his old SE Queens neighborhood. He also promotes childhood literacy, and arts and music in schools.”

Raymond McGuire “serves on a remarkable number of boards. As Chair of the Studio Museum of Harlem, he helped raise the money for the wonderful new building. As Chair of the Regional Plan Association, he was involved in broader civic issues.”

Crystal McCrary “has produced books and television programs about notable Black Women who have inspired others.”

A long history uptown

From The Harlem Times: The Conservancy’s ties to Harlem run deep. In Breen’s words: “The Landmarks Conservancy managed a $4 million preservation fund for the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone-the only fund of its kind in the country-- that gave $100,000 grants and $100,000 no interest loans to a number of Harlem religious and cultural institutions. We restored Astor Row and work with the Abyssinian Development Corporation to find residents for limited equity coops we created in two vacant Astor Row buildings.”

From The Harlem Times: Past Living Landmarks from uptown include Congressman Charles Rangel; former State Senator and State Comptroller Carl McCall; Jonelle Procope, honored while she was president and CEO of the Apollo Theater; and Rev. Dr. Calvin Butts, honored posthumously in 2022. “He accepted our invitation to be a ‘Landmark’ but died just before our gala,” Breen said. “We continue to give Sacred Sites grants to Harlem religious institutions and low interest loans to homeowners. We have also supported new historic districts in Harlem.”

Work that still needs support

From The Harlem Times: Two projects uptown are in progress now. “We have given a grant and helped manage the ongoing restoration of NAMA’s headquarters on W. 130th Street,” Breen said. “We also gave a recent grant to prepare plans to restore the roof at Mount Morris Ascension Presbyterian Church on Mt. Morris Park West. Both these projects could use attention and support.” Funds raised at the gala, she noted, “help our general operating, including the staff that manages our loan and grant programs.”

From The Harlem Times: For young people weighing a future in the field, Breen added: “Preservation and architecture provide ‘soul satisfying’ jobs that contribute to how people live in, enjoy, and identify with the City.”