The Annual Holiday Historic House Tour is Back!
On Sunday, December 14, five Queens historic landmarks will open their doors to the public for the 38th Annual Holiday Historic House Tour. Hosted by the Queens Historical Society and sponsored by ConEdison, guests will be able to visit these five historic Flushing locations all in one day via Trolley provided the New York Trolley Company!
Tickets for the 38th Annual Holiday Historic House Tour’s can be purchased at:
www.queenshistoricalsociety.org
The program, which will run from 12 pm until 4 pm, will take guests for a full tour of the following participating sites including Kingsland Homestead (1775), Bowne House (1661), Voelker Orth Museum Bird Sanctuary & Victorian Garden (1891), the Quaker Meeting House (1694) and Lewis Latimer House (c. 1889).
Image Courtesy Queens Historical Society
Each home will be beautifully decorated for the holidays and also offer special holiday refreshments and treats.
“At Con Edison, we deeply value our partnerships with community organizations,” said Richard David, Con Edison’s Queens Director. “We’re proud to celebrate our collaboration with the Queens Historical Society this holiday season. The Holiday Historic House Tour is a wonderful tradition that brings families together, history to life and enriches the Queens community.”
The Kingsland Homestead, (the headquarters of the Queens Historical Society) was built by Charles Doughty, the son of a wealthy Quaker, in 1775. The colonial-era estate (located at (143-35 37th Avenue), was named so after Doughty’s son-in-law, a British sea captain named Joseph King, who bought the property and expanded it in 1785 and 1801.
“The Queens Historical Society is excited to see the return of the annual Holiday House Tour now celebrating its 38th year,” said Jason D. Antos, Executive Director of the Queens Historical Society and official Queens Borough Historian, “We look forward to celebrating the holidays and history with everyone.”
The Voelker Orth Museum, Bird Sanctuary and Victorian Garden (149-19 38th Avenue), was built in 1891 and was the home of a German immigrant family. Its distinguished garden contains many of the popular plants and berry bushes of the late 19th century. They are maintained with time-honored gardening techniques, such as hand-pruning, with no pesticide use. They also produce their own honey via the museum’s on-site bee hive.
“Where else in NYC can you experience 400 years of holiday home hospitality in one neighborhood in one afternoon? The Voelker Orth Museum looks forward to greeting visitors on the Holly Tour and so enjoys being part of this tradition,” said Deborah Silverfine, Executive Director of Voelker Orth.
Image Courtesy Queens Historical Society
The Bowne House, (37-01 Bowne Street), was built by English-born religious freedom advocate John Bowne in 1661. It is the oldest standing house in Queens. Nine generations of the Bowne and Parsons family lived there until 1945, when the house became a museum. The Bowne House features a unique blend of Dutch and English construction. The Bowne House has also been honored as an official Underground Rail Road site.
“Bowne House visitors will enjoy a holiday themed tour of the home’s historic rooms and learn about early-American holiday traditions. Refreshments will be served,” said Elise Helmers, Executive Director of the John Bowne House.
The Lewis Latimer House Museum (31-41 137th Street) was the home of inventor Lewis Latimer who worked on many important inventions, including the development of the telephone alongside Alexander Graham Bell. Latimer helped to develop a more efficient transmitter that improved the quality of the sound, and his drawings were crucial for securing the telephone patent. Latimer also worked with Thomas Alva Edison on the development and commercialization of the incandescent light bulb. Furthermore, Latimer worked with Hiram S. Maxim, significantly improving the production of carbon filament. His invention of a method to manufacture carbon filament to make lightbulbs mass-producible was patented in 1882.
Image Courtesy Queens Historical Society
In addition to helping others, Latimer designed his own inventions including an early air conditioning unit and an improved railroad car bathroom. In total, the United States government awarded him patents for seven of his own inventions. Lewis Latimer died on December 11, 1928 at the age of 80 in Flushing and was a pioneer in the field of technology, who made important contributions such as the lightbulb and the telephone, which continue to shape modern life. Latimer is a symbol of perseverance and his contributions and advocacy for education and equal rights have had a meaningful and long-lasting impact. “The Lewis Latimer House Museum is delighted to open its doors to our community this Holiday season,” said Ran Yan, Executive Director of the Lewis Latimer House and Museum.
Lastly, is the Quaker Meeting House, (137-16 Northern Boulevard), was constructed in 1694 with funds from John Bowne and his family. It is the second oldest house of worship in the United States and was the first house of worship Flushing. It is New York City’s oldest structure in continuous use for religious purposes. Visitors will be able to walk around the property, view the interior and also explore the historic cemetery.
“The Quaker Meeting House is ready to welcome you for this wonderful annual treat,” said David Lowrey the Clerk of the Flushing Monthly Meeting of the Society of Friends.
Come take a trip through the Colonial and Victorian era Queens with the 38th Annual Holiday Historic House Tour!
Tickets for the 38th Annual Holiday Historic House Tour’s- : http://www.queenshistoricalsociety.org
Tickets will cost $25 per person, $20 for members and $15 for children under 12 years of age. For more information, contact QHS Executive Director, Jason D. Antos, at 718.939.0647 ext. 18 or at jantos
Participating historic houses include.
Bowne House- https://www.bownehouse.org/
Friends Meeting House- https://flushingfriends.org/
Kingsland Homestead- http://queenshistoricalsociety.org/
Voelker Orth Museum- http://www.vomuseum.org/
Lewis Latimer House – https://www.lewislatimerhouse.org/
Please Contact Info for more information.
