NEWSWORKING TO PRESERVE OUR PAST IN ORDER LETTERTO PROTECT OUR FUTURE SPRING/SUMMER 2018 th Anniversary50 of the Queens Historical Society
CONTENT
2 4 6 Executive Director Letter Public Programming Exhibitions Now at QHS Message from QHS Flushing Cemetery Upcoming Events President 5 7 3 Treasures From The QHS Supporters QHS’s 50th Anniversary Collection 8 New Board Member Education Programs Membership Form
718.939.0647 Office Hours (by appointment): Follow us on: Mon – Fri: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm www.queenshistoricalsociety.org Cover: *Queensboro Bridge* Museum Hours (for guided tours): 143-35 37th Ave. Flushing, NY 11354 “Work in roadway, Blackwell’s Island Bridge” Tues, Sat, Sun: 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm (George Grantham Bain Collection), 1907. Writers Letter from the Quilting Nature – Echoes of a Changing World will present memories of their local experiences Executive Director with nature by working on a collaborative painting project and will culminate with an Branka Duknic exhibition hosted by Councilmen Dromm ( Jackson Heights) and Holden (Ridgewood) who have wholeheartedly supported us with We shouldn’t just count our years, we need to this project. make them count, poet G. Meredith insisted. Patricia B. Sherwood By the merit of so many engaged community On another happy note, all of us at QHS Image Credit: members, Kingsland Homestead was declared take great pleasure in announcing that our Anthony O’Reilly a New York City Landmark in 1965, and Education and Outreach Director, Daniela moved to its present location. Three years Addamo received a Victorian Society of later it became the headquarters of the Queens America Fellowship and will be conducting Historical Society. Fifty years have gone by her graduate research in London over the and we are still here, making sure that our past course of the summer. Another line of cong- and present are recorded and celebrated for ratulations goes out to the amazing community future generations. Our staff and board have group helping us beautify the landmarked strived to make our organization a place of Moore-Jackson Cemetery. All of their highly research and education for the public. We Branka Duknic valued efforts have been recognized: they were Image Credit: continue to honor our county’s diversity with awarded The Citizens Committee of NYC Frank DiStefano programs that bring us together and expand Love Your Block Grant this year! The group, our knowledge of each other. The Sacred Sites led by Samantha Yeung and Elizabeth of Flushing Tour, co-sponsored with the New O’Connor, and supported by Assemblyman York Landmarks Conservancy showcases our Barnwell, will be utilizing the grant award to beautiful religious centers: The Ganesha purchase plants and tools to beautify the space Temple of the North American Hindu Society, and continue to help aid the mission of pre- Muslim Center of New York with one of the serving the landmarked cemetery space for largest Islamic Sunday Schools in the City, future generations. The Woodside group is and The China Buddhist Association in Richard Hourahan seeking volunteers to join a day filled with downtown Flushing. Image Credit: planting and community building while Alina Suriel learning about the rich history of the land- This season, we’re happy to bring art classes to mark cemetery that dates back to 1733. the Catherine Sheridan and Peter Cardella Senior Centers in Jackson Heights and There are plenty of other events planned for Ridgewood, respectively. Our resident artist, the season. We invite you to take a look and Queensborough Community College Professor join us – we promise to show you a new aspect Elizabeth Di Giorgio has been helping the of our borough you weren’t aware of! senior citizens reminisce on the natural surroundings during their childhood days. Daniela Addamo Image Credit: Frank DiStefano Message from I sincerely appreciate their abilities, expertise, and enthusiasm. Queens Historical This “Golden Year” has us all reflecting upon Society President the many roles of QHS. Joan Kindler recently Patricia B. Sherwood sent me an e-mail citing some of them. Connie DeMartino is culling over the Newsletter, so Jefferson Mao Image Credit: that our bragging rights can be documented. Marco Grob. May Flowers! Please come! It seems that this We are collecting QHS memorabilia for an past winter was very, very long. Each week exhibit of items. brought a different set of issues: unexpected blizzards, storms and expenses, doubling of We have expanded our exhibitions into the estimate amounts, recurrence of serious health communities but are looking forward to the problems are some examples. continuing programs in the house.
Queens Historical Society has survived for 50 My request to all: How do you remember years, but we are still learning that procedures something about the Society? This can be an Dr. Jack Eichenbaum Image Credit: and policies must be defined and followed. event, lecture, program, person or town! Is Neighborhood Slice The light at the end of the tunnel is, in my there something that we did or should do? opinion, our staff and the talented interns, Please share with us and plan to attend volunteers and assistants who work with us. upcoming celebrations and talks.
2 | SPRING/SUMMER 2018 QHS’s 50th Anniversary Anniversary Benefit — On Thursday, Tentative Schedule for November 8, from 4:30 – 8:00 PM, QHS Journal Advertisements: Jack Eichenbaum, will host a reception at the Queens Botanical Queens Borough Historian Garden. Various groups (historians, elected ⅛ page — $50 officials, etc.) will give short speeches (2 – 3 ¼ page — $80 minutes) during the reception. The speeches ½ page — $125 Not long after Kingsland Homestead was would be in the main room and take place on full page — $200 moved to its present location and designated as the hour and half hour. This will allow these Queens’ first official historic landmark in 1965, groups to establish their presence, provide Special rates for inside front and rear covers the Queens Historical Society was founded at information/interest to the attendees, but not and “gold” pages. One free admission to the the site in 1968. This year, QHS celebrates its fill up the entire 4 hours so that attendees can reception with a ¼ page or ½ page ad; two free fiftieth anniversary with two events. socialize among themselves and enjoy Kingsland admissions with a full page ad. Non-advertising Homestead, the light refreshments and libations donations are also encouraged. Walking Tour — Dr. Jack Eichenbaum, Queens served. A fee of $50 is requested for participants Borough Historian and QHS Board member, who are QHS members ($68 for non-members). Walking Tour Details: will lead a walking tour from QHS at Kingsland See the adjacent coupon for reservations. Location: Kingsland Homestead Homestead to its two prior locations in the Date: Wednesday, August 8, 2018 Murray Hill neighborhood of Flushing. The An Anniversary Journal will be published to Time: 5:30pm tour will commence at Kingsland Homestead accompany this event containing history and Price: $30 on Wednesday, August 8, 2018 at 5:30 PM facts about QHS and Kingsland as well as and include historical sites en route as well as advertisements. See the adjacent schedule for Anniversary Benefit Details: features of the expanding Korean community advertising rates which will support QHS Location: Queens Botanical Garden in the neighborhood. The tour will end less than maintenance and activities. All attendees and Date: Thursday, November 8, 2018 two hours later at Kingsland Homestead with non-advertising contributors will also be cited Time: 4:30 – 8:00pm light refreshments. A fee of $30 is requested in the Journal. Note that advertisers at the Price: $50 ($68 for non-members) for participants. See the adjacent coupon to quarter page level will be entitled to one free use for reservations. Only 30 people can be admission to the reception and advertisers at accommodated, first come first served. the full page level will be entitled to two free admissions to the reception.
master’s degree in urban planning from the New Board Member Harvard Graduate School of Design, Jefferson Jefferson Mao, Trustee now lives in Elmhurst and works as an urban planner for the Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer. Jefferson Mao brings to his position as a member of the Board of Trustees of Queens Now, as a Board Member, he hopes to connect Historical Society a personal connection to the the younger newcomers of Queens to the rich Queens immigrant experience and a dedication and complicated history of the borough. to public service. He looks forward to working on education For Jefferson, Queens has been home ever and outreach efforts, and helping to recruit since he came to Flushing from China when the next generation of Queens Historical he was eight years old. After going to college Society members. at the University of Chicago and receiving a
Jefferson Mao Image Credit: Marco Grob.
SPRING/SUMMER 2018 | 3 Museum, Bird Sanctuary and Victorian Garden Public Programming th on May 5 ! In the education department, QHS Daniela Addamo is happy to announce more programs are being included for children and families on the weekends. For those of you who have children The new spring season brings brand new with an interest in science, we will be holding programs to Queens Historical Society! We a Solar Power Family Workshop on Saturday, are delighted to announce the SU-CASA July 21st. This will be the second installment of grant, funded by the NYC Department of our It’s Electric! weekend series. Please check Cultural Affairs and Department of Aging, out page 4 for more details. has been granted to QHS. We are extending our scope of community engagement by May will mark the 21st year of our Annual working with the seniors at Peter Cardella Art & History Contest! We’ve received all of Senior Citizen Center in Ridgewood and the wonderful and creative art works from Catherine Sheridan Senior Center in Jackson students in elementary schools from all over Heights. Professor Elizabeth DiGiorgio, an Queens, including homeschooled students. accomplished artist and teacher of Art and Queens Historical Society will be announcing Design at Queensborough Community by the beginning of May, nine winners who College, has already begun the painting will be invited to the Art & History Contest workshops at these centers. The seniors are Award Ceremony. All students who have having a blast while working on paintings participated will also be receiving a certificate ”Quilting Nature : Echoes of a Changing that, once completed, will be connected into from QHS. World” painting session. Peter Cardella the form of a large quilt. Stay tuned for the Senior Citizens Center, 2018. opening exhibitions in June to see these We encourage you to check our website and beautiful paintings! social media for more updates on upcoming events, and our 50th Anniversary of the Queens We have some exciting events at QHS this Historical Society Celebration in the Fall. season! We co-hosted a walking tour of the Flushing Cemetery with Voelker Orth
Historic Flushing Cemetery
Flushing Cemetery is a non-sectarian cemetery. Besides Louis Armstrong, musicians Dizzy Gillespie (whose plot is not marked), Hazel Dorothy Scott, US Congressmen Thomas B. Jackson, John Lawrence, Lemuel Quigg, Frederic Storm, Elmer Ebenezer Studley and William W. Valk, financier Bernard Baruch, restaurateur Vincent Sardi, Civil War hero and winner of the Congressional Medal of Honor, College Pointer Pvt. Carl Ludwig are all interred in Flushing Cemetery.
Source: Flushing Cemetery by Forgotten NY. Retrieved 2018-04-27 ”Flushing Cemetery,” — Office and Chapel building remodeled in 2002–3 — illustration by Aliana Ramdass, 2018.
4 | SPRING/SUMMER 2018 Treasures From The carriages, and a gathered crowd. What is the guns, pistols and other firearms. Failure to occasion?--the departure of a group of Queens comply is a federal offense and immediate arrest QHS Collection men belonging to the 42nd Division of the will follow.” Again, this archival document, United States Army to Camp Mills in Garden resides in the QHS Collection. Richard Hourahan, City. Later they will embark to Europe — again Collections Manager via the LIRR to ferries which will take them to the Brooklyn piers to board vessels to Western France. The United States entered World War I on April 6, 1917 — 101 years ago this month — On April 13, 1917 in Glendale — a Queens when Congress declared war on the “Imperial neighborhood of many German immigrants and German Government” (The last time Congress residents of German ancestry — the Ridgewood declared war was on June 4, 1942 — against Times reported that “A general order has gone Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania. out from police headquarters calling upon all aliens in the city to surrender their firearms to The QHS Collection holds a rare photograph local police. The Glendale Police Station has from 1917 that depicts the Long Island sent out a notice calling on all Germans, Railroad station in Richmond Hill, two train Austrians and other aliens to turn over hunting World War I, Richmond Hill, 1917.
Featured Summer Education Programs
Solar panels harnessing the light of the sun. PS 18, Daniela Addamo, 2017. ”Colonial Toys & Games Exhibit,” Katherine Avalos, 2017. It’s Electric! Archaeological Workshop Colonial Toys & Games It’s Electric! is part of our regular educational This outdoor activity is a fun opportunity for programs, presented by Con Edison, that traces a hands-on learning experience in archaeol- One of our most popular programs, this hands- on workshop focuses on everyday activities of the history of power from colonial times to ogy. Students will participate in a simulated th th present. The advent of electricity in the late archaeological excavation in Weeping Beech children in the 18 and 19 centuries. Students 19th century has paved the way for the age of Park to uncover the objects used in daily life will have an opportunity to play with historic technology. Students are introduced to various from the pre-colonial to colonial era. Learn toys such as the Buzz saw and Thaumatrope. aspects in the scientific field including: skills from artifact analysis and interpretation Industrial Revolution, hydro power, solar to advanced field methods. Programs can be Appropriate for: grades K – 6 power, wind power, electric energy, and modified as necessary. This is a workshop mid Duration: 60 minutes satellite/GPS Systems. April to mid October — weather permitting. Price: $125 per class
Solar Energy Family Workshop — Queens Appropriate for: grades 4 – 8 Historical Society will be offering a workshop Duration: 90 minutes for children to assemble a Solar Rover Kit. Price: $150 per class This activity teaches children how to harness Winter 2018 Issue Errata: the light of the sun to power everyday object. Pg 3 They will transform a recycled soda can into (Public Programming, 2nd column 3rd para.) a solar rover. 1) Professor DiGiorgio’s (Our Logo’s a Winner!) Date: Saturday, July 21st, 2018 2) Graphic and Web Designer Rich Prior Time: 11:00am – 1:00pm 3) Rich Prior Design Price: $10 per child 4) Awarded Gold Appropriate for: grades 5 – 8 5) the International Visual Identity Awards. Eventbrite Link: https://goo.gl/xCtvmm 6) IVIA RSVP by June 21st, 2018 Tickets per Person NOT per Family
SPRING/SUMMER 2018 | 5 Exhibitions Now 2018 Events on View at Queens Spring/Summer Historical Society Saturday, May 5 Off-street parking available in 2:00pm – 4:00pm municipal lot at 37th Ave & Union St. Flushing Cemetery Walking Tour th Days & Times for All Exhibitions: Rain Date: Sunday, May 6 (2:00pm) Tuesday, Saturday & Sunday from Meetup Time: 1:45 pm 2:30 – 4:30 pm The Sport of Kings in Queens *Meets inside the main gate (Chapel) Celebrating 350 Years of Price: $10 Registration Museum Admission: Thoroughbred Horse Racing Tickets: https://goo.gl/RVGHM4 $5 General, $3 Seniors/Students, On view October 8, 2017 – June 30, 2018 QHS Members are FREE Saturday, May 5 Queens has been a major center of thoroughbred All programs and exhibits are held horse racing since 1667 when King Charles II 10:00am – 3:00pm at the Kingsland Homestead unless of England established here the first race course Moore-Jackson Beautification Day otherwise noted. in his North American Possessions. Continues: Every Saturday Following This exhibition details the history of this Location: Moore-Jackson Cemetery amazing sport in Queens from those early Facebook: https://goo.gl/Lnh45z days 350 years ago to the present and its Price: Free concomitant cultural, social and economic dimensions and relates stories of the sport’s Sunday, May 6 legends – horses, jockeys, trainers, and iconic races. 10:45am – 3:00pm Sacred Sites Walking Tour More Info: queenshistoricalsociety.org Map: https://goo.gl/QjyTCW Price: Free Aunt Mary’s Landing Saturday, May 12 Mary King Murray was affectionately referred to as “Aunt Mary” by her family. Aunt Mary 2:30pm – 4:30pm resided at Kingsland from 1847 until the 1920s. Kids Art & History Awards She is the linchpin in the history of Kingsland Ceremony and its owners from its construction in 1785 Location: Queens Historical Society until its sale during the Depression of the Kingsland: Past to Present 1930s. Aunt Mary saved numerous mementos Saturday June 2 from her great grandparents, grandparents, and her parents. In our main hallway is a refurbished exhibit 10:00am – 5:30pm on the history of the Kingsland Homestead The NEW World of Displayed on Aunt Mary’s Landing are these and the family that made it their home for The Number 7 Train Tour handed down memories along with other over 100 years. personal items that were part of her everyday Price: $49 per person life from childhood to adulthood. PayPal: https://geognyc.com/ payments/ By Check: Info on QHS website Saturday & Sunday, June 16 – 17 2:30pm – 4:30pm Path Through History Additional Dates: October 6 – 8 Info: paththroughhistory.iloveny.com Weeping Beech Park Location: Kingsland Homestead Price: Free Victorian Parlor Come enjoy nature at work and watch as the buds on the Landmark Weeping Beech tree in Friday & Thursday The Kingsland Victorian Room has been America continue to grow and have their own June 22 & 28 modeled to appear as it would have in the year daughters. While here, don’t forget to look for 1870. This year was chosen because it represents the progress of our recently planted 10:30am – 12:00pm a traditional period for the Murray family. New-Town-Pippen apple tree. Exhibition of Quilting Nature: Echoes of a Changing World Price: Free
6 | SPRING/SUMMER 2018 June 22 Queens Historical Become a Member! Location: Peter Cardella Senior Citizens Center, Ridgewood Society Site Rental Enjoy the benefits! June 28 Free museum admission Did you know, you can rent space at Location: Catherine Sheridan Senior the Kingsland Homestead? Discounted admission to our Center, Jackson Heights programs Both the Kingsland Homestead and Saturday, July 21 Invitations to our special events and surrounding Weeping Beech Park are Exhibition Openings 11:00am – 1:00pm available for weddings, business Solar Energy Family Workshop meetings, bridal showers, children’s Copy of our newsletter Info: pg 4 (In this Newsletter.) parties and other private events. 10% discount on all publications in our gift shop Saturday, August 8 If you are interested in finding out more information on site rentals at the 5:30pm – 7:00pm See the last page for instructions on Kingsland Homestead, please contact how to become a member of the Kingsland Homestead Walking Tour us at: Queens Historical Society. Price: $30 per person Tickets: Available on QHS website 718.939.0647 Sunday, September 30 www.queenshistoricalsociety.org 2:30pm – 4:30pm History and Commerce in the Old Donate and New Netherlands: Revisited Presented by Queens Borough Tax-deductible! Historian Jack Eichenbaum, PhD Donations are tax deductible & can be Follow us on: made to support any of our programs or for general operating purposes.
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SPRING/SUMMER 2018 | 7 BOARD OF TRUSTEES QUEENS HISTORICAL SOCIETY President Patricia B. Sherwood NON-PROFIT Vice President for History James Driscoll 143-35 37th Ave. Flushing, NY 11354 ORGANIZATION Vice President of Operations Jason Antos www.queenshistoricalsociety.org U.S. POSTAGE Secretary Jean C. Bartelt PAID Treasurer Jefferson Mao [email protected] PERMIT NO. 639 Board Representative Jack Eichenbaum P 718.939.0647 / F 718.539.9885 FLUSHING, NY Board Representative Joseph R. Brostek Connie DeMartino Office Hours (by appointment): Carol Gillen Costello Mon – Fri: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm Joanne Garahan Museum Hours (for guided tours): Tues, Sat, Sun: 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm ADVISORY BOARD Richard Gelman Joan Kindler Research & Inquires Aida Gonzalez-Jarrin Peter Byrne By Appointment Only Allan Smith Catherine Williams ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED TRUSTEES IN MEMORIAM Lee & Stanley Cogan Hon. William Friedmann Joseph Hellmann Edward M. Murray Mary-Jane Boltizar Ponce Vincent Seyfried Winifred Latimer Norman
STAFF Executive Director Branka Duknic, ext. 18 Collections Manager & Curator Richard Hourahan, ext. 15 Education and Outreach Director Daniela Addamo, ext. 14 Caretakers Boris & Ana Papic QHS Attorney Paul Kerson, Esq. Newsletter Editor Rachel Shor
MEMBERSHIP FORM YES, I would like to become a member of APPLICATION the Queens Historical Society or give a gift of membership. My contribution will help First Time Member ______Renewal ______Gift Membership ______preserve the Kingsland Homestead and the history of the Borough of Queens. Name: ______E-mail: ______Individual (annually) $30 ______Telephone: ______Senior (annually) $20 ______Address: ______Student (annually) $15 ______State: ______ZIP: ______Family (annually) $50 ______
Business (annually) $300 _____ Your donation could easily double (or triple) at no extra cost to you. Many firms have generous programs which they encourage Life $500 ______“MATCHING GIFT” their employees to use. Ask if your company has such a program. Benefactor $1000 ______Membership in the Queens Historical Society begins in May and ends in April of Gift Membership ______the following year. Please make checks payable to the Queens Historical Society Donation (tax deductible) ______at 143-35 37th Avenue, Flushing, NY 11354.
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