Seven Queens Historic Sites Are Participating
(New York, NY) On Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013, the 26th Annual Holiday Historic House Tour, sponsored by the Queens Historical Society, will kick off the holiday season with seven sites participating. Each of these NYC landmarks will offer special activities, refreshments and a glimpse at what life was once like during the holidays. Each site has its own unique story to tell that will be featured along with special holiday programming for the tour.
The participating sites include: The Kingsland Homestead, Voelker Orth Museum, Bird Sanctuary & Victorian Garden, Lewis H. Latimer House Museum, Friends Meeting House, Flushing Town Hall, the Bowne House, and, new this year, the Louis Armstrong House Museum. The program runs from 1 pm to 5 pm on Dec. 8.
Here’s what is happening at each historic site this year:
Kingsland Homestead (c. 1785) was occupied by the same family until the 1930s. In 1968, the house was moved from its original Flushing site to its current location. Home of the Queens Historical Society, Kingsland Homestead offers school programs, tours, & lectures to the public documenting the history of Queens. For the Holiday House Tours: musical performances will be presented throughout the day along with a special holiday gift shop sale of local history books. The Kingsland Homestead is located at 143-35 37th Ave., Flushing, NY 11354. 718.939.0647.
Voelker Orth Museum, Bird Sanctuary & Victorian Garden (dates back to 1891) was purchased by an immigrant who published German-language newspapers. It was home to three generations of one family. For this festive event, enjoy piano performances all day and a special gift and plant sale at this dressed-for-the-holiday period Victorian house. The Voelker Orth Museum, Bird Sanctuary and Victorian Garden is located at 149-19 38th Ave., Flushing, NY 11354. 718.359.6227.
Lewis H. Latimer House Museum (constructed 1887 to1889) was home of African-American inventor Lewis H. Latimer, who lived there from 1903 until his death in 1928. The son of fugitive slaves, he played a vital role in the development of the telephone and the incandescent light bulb. Traditional holiday refreshments will be served for the historic house tours. The Lewis H. Latimer House Museum is located at 34-41 137th St., Flushing, NY 11354. 718.961.8585.
The Friends Meeting House is the first house of worship in the village of Flushing and NYC’s oldest structure in continuous use for religious purposes. It was built in 1694. The house will be open for tours all day and be sure to walk around the property and view the historic cemetery. Enjoy the John Scardina Musical Ensemble performing
