Proclaims April 2015 as Landmarks Month in Queens
BP Katz to Host Special Reception on April 21 to Commemorate Anniversary
QUEENS, NY – Borough President Melinda Katz proclaimed April 2015 as Landmarks Month in Queens and announced a series of events, including an upcoming special reception, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the New York City Landmarks Law.
“Queens landmarks will together celebrate the golden anniversary of the Landmarks Law with a series of events designed to educate residents and visitors of our neighborhoods’ beautiful and rich histories,” said Queens Borough President MELINDA KATZ. “As our communities and families grow, our borough also balances that growth with efforts to preserve the irreplaceable landmark treasures that contextualize our present and shape our future.”
Under the Landmarks Law, the borough of Queens alone boasts 11 historic districts, two interior landmarks, and more than 70 individual landmarks. The first Queens landmark was the Kingsland Homestead, designated on October 14, 1965. The most recent Queens landmark is the Ridgewood Central Historic District, designated on December 9, 2014.
A calendar of commemorative events hosted by various Queens landmarks’ is now available on Borough President Katz’s website at www.queensbp.org/landmarks50, and will be updated on a rolling basis through 2015. The webpage also includes a map and list of all the historic districts, interior and individual landmarks in Queens.
Borough President Katz will also host a special reception at 5:30pm on April 21, 2015 to commemorate the anniversary at the Queens Museum in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. Attendees will enjoy a first look at the opening of the Queens Museum’s special exhibit called “Panorama of Queens, 1965-2015 – Fifty Years of Landmarking”, which will feature all Queens landmarks with a special marker on the renowned Panorama of New York City. The reception is free and open to the public, but advance RSVP is strongly encouraged via [email protected].
Other commemorative events sponsored by Queens landmarks throughout the year include:
- “Happy 50th Birthday NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission” by the Louis Armstrong House Museum – April 7-12, 2015
@ Louis Armstrong House Museum, 34-56 107th Street in Corona.
More info: www.LouisArmstrongMuseum.org or 718.478.8278 - “Guided Tour of the NYC Designated Landmark Lawrence Cemetery” by the Bayside Historical Society – April 19, 2015 at 11:00am
@ The Lawrence Cemetery, 216th Street and 42nd Avenue in Bayside.
More info: www.baysidehistorical.org or 718.352.1548 - Queens Preservation Council’s Monthly Meetings – April 27, May 18 and June 29, 2015
@ Queens Borough Hall (Room 213), 120-55 Queens Boulevard in Kew Gardens.
More info: Mitchell Grubler, [email protected] - “History Hunt Through the Fort Totten Historic District” by the Bayside Historical Society – May 30, 2015 at 11:00am
@ Fort Totten, 208 Totten Avenue in Bayside.
$10pp. More info: baysidehistorical.org or 718.352.1548 - “Restoring the Voelker Orth Home: A Talk and Tea Afternoon” by the Voekler Orth Museum – July 26, 2015 at 2:00pm
@ Voelker Orth Museum, Bird Sanctuary and Victorian Garden, 149-19 38th Avenue in Flushing.
Suggested Donation $5pp. More info: vomuseum.org or 718.359.6227 - “For Tomorrow’s Yesteryears” ongoing exhibit by the Voelker Orth Museum – Every Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday from July 25 – September 13, 2015
@ Voelker Orth Museum, Bird Sanctuary and Victorian Garden, 149-19 38th Avenue in Flushing.
Suggested Donation $5pp. More info: vomuseum.org or 718.359.6227
“The Commission is thrilled to celebrate this banner year with Borough President Melinda Katz and with many of our beloved Queens landmarks,” said MEENAKSHI SRINIVASAN, Chair of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. “Since the Commission was founded fifty years ago, we have protected well over 4,000 buildings in Queens, and this is an exciting opportunity for all New Yorkers to experience the borough’s rich cultural, historic and architectural history.”
“We applaud Borough President Katz for celebrating the wealth of Queens landmarks and the anniversary of the City’s landmarks law,” said New York Landmarks Conservancy President PEG BREEN. “We encourage all New Yorkers to explore these wonderful buildings and neighborhoods.”
Signed into law by Mayor Robert Wagner on April 19, 1965, the New York City Landmarks Law is among the strongest in the nation and continues to serve as a model for cities and towns throughout the United States and around the world.
The renowned landmarks of Queens, dubbed “The World’s Borough” as the most diverse location in the country with families that hail from over 120 countries and speak over 135 languages, are a source of great pride for residents and tourism interest for visitors from around the globe.
Suivez la présidente d'arrondissement Katz via @melindakatz ou www.facebook.com/queensbpkatz