Queens Historical Society

05/31/2026

https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/video/revealing-magic-in-a-big-way-beechhurst-l-i-wizard-news-footage/1148013316

For many years magician Howard Thurston lived in Queens in the Beechhurst section of Whitestone. Here is rare Movietone footage (silent) of Thurston at his daughter's house which was located across the street from his at 161-03 Powells Cove Boulevard. Shown with him is his baby pet elephant!!!!

"Revealing magic in a big way, Beechhurst, L. I. - Wizard Thurston makes elephant vanish despite Pathe News cameraman" / Howard Thurston leads small elephant up steps of home to porch at his home in...

05/16/2026

On sale June 30th!

05/11/2026

Images of America: Woodside-Sunnyside will be released on June 30th. Pre-Order your copy today! 50% of the money earned on each copy sold goes to benefit the Queens Historical Society!!!

Woodside-Sunnyside (Images of America)

04/30/2026

The First WoodsIde Station. The Flushing Railroad began operating on June 26, 1854, between Hunter’s Point and Flushing, via Newtown Creek, Winfield and Corona. On February 24, 1864, a new line called the Flushing and Woodside Railroad was incorporated to build a road from Woodside to Flushing. It would all merge later on with the Flushing and North Side Rail Road and finally the Long Island Rail Road Port Washington Branch. The first Woodside rail road station (which also served as the post office) was erected north of Woodside Avenue and west
of today’s 60th Street in 1867. John H. Riker (center) was station master. Riker is joined in this photo with fellow Woodsiders and the Fargo sisters who stand at far left. The station was torn
down in 1869 and a new station was built a short distance away.

04/30/2026

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-religious-history-of-flushing-queens-tickets-1983961274579?aff=oddtdtcreator

Join us at Kingsland on May 3rd for a book talk

04/25/2026

Gala Event to Benefit the Queens Historical Society
Join us for a truly historic, once-in-a-lifetime event as we celebrate the Kingsland Homestead’s 250th anniversary.

The Friends of Maple Grove Cemetery will host the event, and the money raised will benefit the Queens Historical Society.

Join us for food, guest speakers, and a presentation of Queens history through rare photos and film.

*Free parking is available on site. Enter the gate at 129th st. and Kew Gardens Rd.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/celebrating-250-years-of-kingsland-homestead-tickets-1987949177504?aff=oddtdtcreator

Gala Event to Benefit the Queens Historical Society

Join us for a truly historic, once-in-a-lifetime event as we celebrate the Kingsland Homestead’s 250th anniversary.

The Friends of Maple Grove Cemetery will host the event, and the money raised will benefit the Queens Historical Society.
Join us for food, guest speakers, and a presentation of Queens history through rare photos and film.

*Free parking is available on site. Enter the gate at 129th st. and Kew Gardens Rd.

04/25/2026

Gala Event to Benefit the Queens Historical Society

Join us for a truly historic, once-in-a-lifetime event as we celebrate the Kingsland Homestead’s 250th anniversary.

The Friends of Maple Grove Cemetery will host the event, and the money raised will benefit the Queens Historical Society.
Join us for food, guest speakers, and a presentation of Queens history through rare photos and film.

*Free parking is available on site. Enter the gate at 129th st. and Kew Gardens Rd.

04/23/2026

Queens History Mystery of the Day.

Can anyone identify this?

04/02/2026

Kingsland Homestead will be closed this Saturday and Sunday in observance of the Passover and Easter Holidays! We will return to tours from 2:30pm until 4:30pm on Wednesday April 8th!

Have a blessed holiday weekend!

(Courtesy Queens Library Archives/Long Island Press.)

03/18/2026

https://scientificinquirer.com/2026/03/17/along-the-turnpike-jason-antos-on-newtown-flushing-and-vanished-black-histories/

Newtown and Flushing interconnected through geography and society, shaping the experiences of the 19th-century free Black community, marked by inconsistent property ownership and migration driven b…