How to Become a Living Landmark in New York

Ask stage and screen star Chita Rivera, who just did.

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 10:  Chita Rivera attends the 72nd Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 10, 2018 in New York City.  (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions

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NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 10: Chita Rivera attends the 72nd Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 10, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions )
Getty Images for Tony Awards Pro

Broadway and screen legend Chita Rivera, who has already won two best actress Tony Awards for her work on Broadway, can add another illustrious local honor to her resume: Living Landmark status.

In New York City, that’s a thing – and has been since 1994, when the Landmarks Conservancy bestowed the honor for the first time, Atlas Obscura reported.

Earlier this month, Rivera was among the doctors, educators, designers, philanthropists, and others in this year’s class of high-achieving Living Landmarks. They join the roster of almost 200 luminaries including the late Joan Rivers and Liz Smith whose work and presence boosted New York’s character and legacy and, thus, earned them the rarefied title.

Public garden designer Lynden B. Miller told Atlas Obscura it is “wonderful and terribly exciting and rather frightening to be recognized in this way. I consider it,” Miller added, “an opportunity for people who’ve never thought about it before to realize that [the gardens’ are the living landmarks and need to be supported.”

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