Fort Totten Officers' Club facts for kids
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Fort Totten Officers' Club
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Fort Totten Officers' Club, April 2009
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| Location | Totten and Murray Aves., New York, New York |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1870 |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival, Late Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 86000446 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | March 17, 1986 |
The Fort Totten Officers' Club, also known as the Castle, is a very old building in Fort Totten in Bayside, Queens, New York. It was built in the 1870s. This building was a special meeting place for military officers. It got its nickname "the Castle" because it looks like a small castle.
The building was made bigger in 1887. It is designed in a style called Late Gothic Revival. This means it looks like older European castles and churches. The Castle is a two-story building. It has a tall tower in the middle. The outside is covered with wooden boards called clapboard. It also has two identical towers with many sides. A wooden fence-like structure, called a parapet, goes around the roof.
The Fort Totten Officers' Club was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. This list includes important historical places in the United States.
Contents
The Castle: A Historic Building
The Fort Totten Officers' Club is a special place with a long history. It was built a long time ago, in the 1870s. It was a place where military officers could relax and meet.
What is an Officers' Club?
An officers' club is like a community center for military officers. It's a place where they can gather, socialize, and sometimes even live. These clubs often have dining rooms, lounges, and other facilities. They help build a sense of community among military leaders.
Design and Features
The Castle is a large building that looks very grand. It has two main floors. A tall tower sticks out from the center of the building. This tower makes it look even more like a castle. The outside walls are covered with wooden planks. These planks are called clapboard.
The building also has two towers that are exactly alike. These towers have many sides, making them look unique. Around the very top of the roof, there is a decorative wooden barrier. This is called a parapet. It adds to the castle-like appearance of the building.
Gothic Revival Style
The Fort Totten Officers' Club is built in the Late Gothic Revival style. This style was popular in the 1800s. It copied designs from medieval Gothic buildings, like old castles and cathedrals. Key features include pointed arches, tall windows, and decorative towers. The Castle shows these features, giving it a historic and impressive look.
Home to History: The Bayside Historical Society
Today, the Fort Totten Officers' Club is no longer a military club. It is now the home of the Bayside Historical Society. This group works to preserve and share the history of the Bayside area.
Exploring Local History
The Bayside Historical Society uses the Castle to teach people about the past. They have exhibits that show the history and culture of Bayside and Queens. You can learn about how people lived there long ago. They also have displays about the history of the Castle building itself. It's a great place to learn about your local community's past.
