Kingsland Homestead facts for kids
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Kingsland Homestead
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 Location in New York City
Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | 37th Ave. and Parsons Blvd., New York, New York |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1774 |
| Architectural style | Colonial |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000905 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 31, 1972 |
The Kingsland Homestead is a very old house located in Flushing, Queens, New York City. It was built in the late 1700s. This special house is now a museum run by the Queens Historical Society. It's a great place to learn about the past.
The homestead is also famous for being near the spot where a very old and special tree, called The Weeping Beech, used to stand. This tree was planted in 1847. The house is also close to the 17th-century Bowne House, which was the first meeting place for Quakers in New Amsterdam. The Kingsland Homestead is part of the Historic House Trust. It is recognized as both a New York City designated landmark and a National Register of Historic Places listing.
Contents
History of Kingsland Homestead
The Kingsland Homestead was built around 1785 by Charles Doughty. The name "Kingsland" likely came from Doughty's son-in-law, Joseph King. Joseph King was a British sea captain who bought the house in 1801.
Moving the House for Development
The house had to be moved several times to keep it safe. In 1923, the New York City Subway's Flushing Line was being extended. This meant the house was in the way. So, it was moved to a new spot where Joseph King had built a stable.
Saving a Historic Landmark
In 1965, the house was threatened again. A new shopping center, the Murray Hill Shopping Center, was planned. But the local community worked hard to save the house. That same year, it became one of the first buildings in New York City to be declared a landmark. This was done by the Landmarks Preservation Commission.
New Home for the Homestead
More construction threatened the house in 1968. The Kingsland Preservation Committee stepped in. This group is now known as the Queens Historical Society. They arranged for the house to be moved to its current location. After some delays, the Homestead officially opened as a museum in March 1973.
Restoring the Old House
The house has been carefully restored over the years. In 1996, a big renovation project was finished. This project fully restored the house. It also added new lighting and a sprinkler system to protect it. More work was done in 1999 to keep the building strong.
Exhibits and Displays
The Kingsland Homestead is set up to look like it did during the Victorian era. But it has shown many different exhibits since it became a museum.
Past Exhibitions
One exhibit focused on World War II and what happened in Queens during the war. It showed local newspapers and real-estate ads from that time. Another exhibit explored the impact of slavery in Queens and on Long Island. These exhibits help visitors understand different parts of history.
The Famous Weeping Beech Tree
Near the Kingsland Homestead is the Weeping Beech Park. This park was once home to a very famous weeping beech tree. This tree was about 60 feet (18 meters) tall. It was named a city landmark in 1966. It was one of only two living landmarks in New York City.
Origin of the Tree
People believe the original tree came from Belgium. A plant expert named Samuel Parsons brought it to the U.S. It is also thought to be the source of all weeping beech trees in the United States.
End of an Era
The tree lived for 151 years before it died in 1997. A special ceremony was held for the tree in December 1998. Parts of the tree were given to artists. They used the wood to create sculptures and benches for a heritage trail in downtown Flushing. A ten-foot section of the tree was left in the park as a memorial. Today, seven direct descendant trees still grow in the park, near the Homestead.
See also
- List of New York City Designated Landmarks in Queens
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Queens
