John Bowne House facts for kids
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John Bowne House
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John Bowne House in 2018
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 Location in New York City
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| Location | 37-01 Bowne Street, Flushing, New York, U.S. |
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| Area | 9 acres (3.6 ha) |
| Built | c. 1661 |
| Architectural style | Anglo-Dutch Colonial |
| NRHP reference No. | 77000974 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | September 13, 1977 |
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The John Bowne House is a very old house located at 37-01 Bowne Street in Flushing, a neighborhood in Queens, New York City. This house is famous because it played a big part in making sure people in the United States could practice any religion they wanted. It helped establish religious tolerance, which means respecting different beliefs.
The house was built around 1661. In 1662, a group of Quakers held a meeting there. The owner, John Bowne, was arrested by Peter Stuyvesant. Stuyvesant was the Dutch leader of New Netherland, which was what New York was called back then.
Contents
A Fight for Freedom
Standing Up for Beliefs
John Bowne did not give up after his arrest. He appealed his case to the Dutch West India Company. This company was in charge of the Dutch colony. Bowne won his appeal, which was a huge victory.
This win set an important example for religious freedom in the colony. It meant that people could not be arrested just for their religious beliefs. This idea later helped shape parts of the U.S. Constitution. It supported the rights to freedom of religion, speech, and assembly.
Helping Others
The Bowne Family's Legacy
Many people from John Bowne's family continued his work for fairness. They were active in the movement to end slavery. For example, John's great-grandson, Robert Bowne, helped start the Manumission Society of New York in 1784. This group worked to free enslaved people.
Some family members also helped people escape slavery. Mary Bowne Parsons' son, William B. Parsons, was one of them. He helped people on the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network that helped enslaved people find freedom before the American Civil War.
The House Through Time
A Historic Building
The John Bowne House is a special type of building. It is a wood-frame Anglo-Dutch Colonial saltbox house. This means it has a steeply sloped roof with three small windows called dormers. Over many years, the house was changed a few times.
Several generations of the Bowne family lived in the house. They lived there until 1945. Then, the family gave the house to the Bowne Historical Society. In 1947, the John Bowne House became a museum. Its outside has been fixed up to look its best. Experts have also studied the ground around the house to learn more about its past.
A Recognized Landmark
The John Bowne House is a very important historical site. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. It is also recognized as a New York City designated landmark. This means it is protected because of its historical value.
See also
- List of the oldest buildings in New York
- Flushing Remonstrance
- List of New York City Designated Landmarks in Queens
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Queens
