ELIZABETH, NJ, July 25, 2026
A Very Special Historic Preservation Award
On a hot summer day, beneath the welcome shade of an old-growth hickory tree as venerable as the 1910 home being honored, guests gathered on the back lawn of the historic L. Ron Hubbard Landmark Site at 42 Aberdeen Rd, Elizabeth, New Jersey. They had come to witness the unveiling of my Historic Preservation Award honoring the restored home of author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard—the very place where the global Dianetics movement began in 1950. Dianetics would eventually reach more than 200 countries around the world.
I decided to to create this original pen and watercolor award painting as I have been deeply impressed by the extraordinary care, craftsmanship, and attention to detail that has gone into the restoration of this remarkable L. Ron Hubbard Landmark Site. Places like this do more than preserve buildings. They preserve history. They preserve ideas. They preserve inspiration for future generations.
Here is my painting of the L. Ron Hubbard Landmark Site which I unveiled that day.
I founded the Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award in 2013 to honor exceptional individuals and organizations dedicated to saving and restoring historic buildings across the country and the award consists of a framed original pen-and-watercolor painting of the restored historic home. I am very proud that this 116-year-old historic home, nestled in Elizabeth’s Westminster neighborhood, is the most recent recipient of my award.
I was honored to join Mr. David Eaton, as a guest speaker at the unveiling ceremony. Mr. Eaton, the Music Director of the New York City Symphony since 1985, has conducted at leading New York cultural institutions and performed internationally as a guest conductor. A prolific composer, arranger, and producer, Mr. Eaton offered his insights on the power of art and the responsibility of artists to preserve our culture and inspire future generations.
As the awaited moment of unveiling the painting and historical award drew close, I was joined by Ms. Valery Merritt—caretaker of the historic site— Rev. Massimo Parrino of the L. Ron Hubbard Foundation and Mr. David Eaton.
My original award painting of the L. Ron Hubbard Landmark Site is unveiled and here is a group photo featuring: Rev. Massimo Parrino, Ms Valery Merrit, Leisa Collins and Mr. David Eaton.
Ms. Merritt gave final remards, as guests followed her inside for a tour of the historic residence.
Some history about this Landmark Site:
The restoration of this home was the result of meticulous research to bring it to historical accuracy in every detail—stepping through the doors is like stepping back in time to that summer of 1950 when L. Ron Hubbard presented the first public Dianetics lectures and demonstrations right here on Aberdeen Road.
The Colonial‑Revival residence served as the 1950 home of L. Ron Hubbard shortly after the publication of Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health in May 1950.
As the book began an unprecedented 28‑week run on the New York Times bestseller list, crowds from across America flocked to this home—eager to meet the author and learn directly from the man behind the movement.
In 2025, marking the 75th anniversary of the publication of Dianetics, the Aberdeen Road home was meticulously restored. Featuring original furniture, vintage crystal doorknobs, refinished wood floors with mahogany Celtic‑pattern inlays, and even the desk where Mr. Hubbard once wrote, the home has been returned to its former glory.
Through the greater course of his life’s work as an author, humanitarian, and the founder of Dianetics and Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard’s travels brought him to varied locations spanning the globe. In mapping his trail city by city and continent by continent, certain landmarks of significance—places where he made breakthrough discoveries—have been fully restored to be as they were when Mr. Hubbard lived and worked there. For more information about the restored L. Ron Hubbard Landmark Site, visit: lronhubbard.org/landmark-sites/aberdeen-road.html .
Until next time, Leisa
