The Bowne House Historical Society, Inc. AUTUMN 2011 BOWNE HOUSE AND ITS MISSION Bowne House, circa 1661, is the oldest house in Queens and one of the oldest in New York City. The house is an amalgam of Dutch and English traditions of building; continuity of ownership provides a unique view of changing cultural values and increased prosperity over time. Bowne House was occupied by nine generations of family, but events which took place in its early years secured its place in history. John Bowne is known for his courageous defense of religious liberty; his actions, and those of his fellow residents of Flushing, helped establish this principle in America. In 1662, Bowne defied a ban imposed by Governor Peter Stuyvesant on the practice of religions other than the Dutch Reformed Church by permitting Quakers to worship in his home. Bowne was arrested and deported to Holland, where he successfully pleaded his case before the Dutch West India Company. He returned home in 1664, and the principle of religious freedom was established in the colony. Bowne House is operated by the Bowne House Historical Society, whose mission includes the preservation of the house, its collections and its grounds for their historical and educational interest, for the significance of the house in the history of New York, and for its role in the establishment of the principle of freedom of conscience in America. Bowne House is owned by the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation and is a member of Historic House Trust of New York. THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE BOWNE HOUSE HISTORICAL SOCIETY Rosemary S. Vietor, President Morris Hylton III, Vice President Wellington Z. Chen George Farr Annette L. Geddes Edith T. Loening Hon. Frank Padavan Penelope B. Perryman Kenneth S. Schwartz Margaret D. Sullivan Roland Wade TRUSTEES EMERITUS Nina Powell Franklin Regan, Esq. ADVISORY COMMITTEE Donald R. Friary, Chair Jeanne Adair, Ph.D. Dean F. Failey Peter Kenny Anthony C. Wood Page 1 BOWNE HOUSE celebrates ITS 350TH Anniversary; GIVES FIRST HISTORIC Preservation Award The Bowne House celebrated its 350th vice, the impact of which has been felt across New year on October 6th with a party at the Arsenal York and across America. In fact, the 350 year sur- Roof in Central Park. Members and friends gath- vival of Bowne House is due to the dedication of ered for this festive event. The museum received local residents who purchased the house to oper- a number of citations and proclamations, includ- ate it as a museum in 1947, after the departure of ing ones from the New York City Mayor, the City the last Bowne family member in residence. Council, the Office of the Comptroller, the Queens Borough President, and the New York State I would like to leave you with one thought, Assembly commemorating this special occasion. this one from Margaret Meade, which captures the essence of John Bowne’s stand for freedom The museum also marked the occasion of conscience, and those of his fellow residents of by presenting its first ever Historic Preservation Flushing– “Never doubt a small group of thought- Award. The award was given to Dr. Barbaralee ful committed citizens can change the world. In- Diamonstein-Spielvogel in recognition of her deed, it is the only thing that ever has.” The dedi- more than 40 year commitment to the preser- cation of these citizens has helped make America vation of the historic built environment of our the exceptional country that it is. country. Now, I will speak about another person The following are remarks given by who has changed the world – Dr. Barbaralee Dia- Rosemary Vietor, the president of the Bowne monstein-Spielvogel. Barbaralee has worked tire- House Historical Society, on this occasion. lessly for over 40 years as an advocate for preser- vation of our cultural and historic resources, and This year we are celebrating the 350th an- to raise awareness of our unique heritage. niversary of the Bowne House. The house is best known for its connection to the principle of free- I first met Barbaralee when we were be- dom of conscience in America. While the concept ing interviewed and photographed for an article was not unique in 17th century America – others on preservation in Parade Magazine. The article had tried and failed to implement this ideal – John featured Bowne House. I learned that Barbaralee Bowne was the first man to successfully challenge has sense of humor – she instructed the photog- the ban on free practice of religion. Freedom of rapher – “Don’t make me look like a relic”. Well, conscience did not exist in 17th century England, she doesn’t look like a relic – 40 years as an advo- ancestral home of his family. England had suf- cate for history and culture has kept her youth- fered from a series of religious and political wars. ful. But, the free practice of religion in the town of Flushing had been guaranteed by Governor Peter The Bowne House Historical Society has Stuyvesant’s predecessor. John Bowne’s challenge never, to my knowledge, given an award. The to Governor Stuyvesant, by permitting Quakers Historic Preservation Award is new, and it is ap- to meet in his house for worship, was followed propriate that our first recipient is Barbaralee. by his arrest, imprisonment and banishment from Without her advocacy, many of America’s most the country. His successful appeal to the Dutch important historic sites might have languished West India Company resulted in the guarantee or disappeared for lack of interest or support. of religious freedom for citizens of New Amster- Through her writing, speaking, research and en- dam. These principles were later codified in the thusiasm for our history, she has raised the profile First Amendment of the Bill of Rights. of many important sites, of which Bowne House is one. While Bowne House is best known for these events, which took place from 1662-1664, We are thrilled to have her here tonight the house and its Flushing community have also and to honor her with our Historic Preservation served as an incubator for a long chain of ideals award. and concepts and a tradition of community ser- Page 2 2011 NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN HOLIDAY TRAIN SHOW The New York Botanical Garden will be hold- with the Westchester Chordsmen, featuring a ing its 20th annual Holiday Train Show at the Enid selection of carols. Other events include Gingerbread Haupt A. Conservatory. The Train Show, which will Adventures, which will feature a gingerbread play- run from November 19th through January 16th, has house and a display of gingerbread houses made become a holiday tradition for New Yorkers. Model by area bakers. A Holiday Film Festival will include trains run over bridges and past familiar New York a PBS documentary featuring designer Busse. City landmarks made of natural materials, includ- ing bark, leaves and nuts. Bowne House is among Activities for children include The Little En- these more than 140 landmarks. gine That Could puppet show and All Aboard with Thomas and Friends™. These events, as well as the Designer Paul Busse and his team at Applied events described above, will take place at various Imagination are responsible for the design and con- times throughout the season; for the full sched- struction of the show. This year, visitors will have a ule of activities and programs, admission fees, and chance to take a peek behind the scenes to see how dates and times check www.nybg.org. the models are constructed. Photos, tools and sup- plies will help tell the story of how the show comes The Holiday Train Show is a unique New together. York experience, and is not to be missed. Bowne House is thrilled to be a part of the show. A number of special activities are planned around the show. A Holiday Tree Lighting will The New York Botanical Garden is lo- kick off the season on November 19th; this cated in the Bronx, NY. The telephone number is will include a conifer display and a sing-along 718-817-8700. Photo courtesy of the New York Botanical Garden Page 3 FEEDING THE “SWEET TOOTH” OF FLUSHINg’S Early QUAKERS by its old forests and superior drainage facilitated Long Island, 1645: by its rolling hills. Since colonial economics were based on the substantial movement of raw and a group of English families is granted a charter by manufactured goods to and from the motherland – the Dutch of New Amsterdam to establish a village with all transactions taxed accordingly – agriculture called Vlissengen, or what is now known as Flush- was a highly competitive industry. ing, in the Borough of Queens. Many of these folks are Quakers (members of the Society of Friends), and over time, the area from Flushing to Oyster Bay becomes one of the strongholds of Quakerism in North America, along with Rhode Island and Penn- sylvania. Hannah Bowne’s simple gravestone at the Friends Meeting House in Flushing The Bay of Flushing/Newtown Dock was a major shipping hub to and from Europe, delivering such products as the extraordinary array of apples Classic Bakewell Tart, a favorite of the grown in New York, and receiving fine goods like Bowne family of Flushing wine, fabric, and sugar. The leading nurseries of In 1651, an industrious man, John Bowne the day – import/export outfits where farmers pur- (pronounced like “town”) and Quaker wife, Han- chased seeds and plants – were located in Flushing, nah Feke, buy land from the Native Americans in including the Prince Linnean Garden and Nursery, Vlissingen and set up what is to become one of the founded in 1735, which had the monopoly on tree most prosperous farms in the region.