View map and full guide at: http://macaulay.cuny.edu/eportfolios/zhang20/2016/12/05/flushing-culture-guide/

Flushing’s History

Flushing, which had been previously called Vlissengen, was granted a charter by the Dutch West India Company in 1645. It consequently joined and formed part of the Dutch colony of New Netherlands. Among the earliest settlers of Flushing were the Quakers who came due to religious persecution in England after the Dutch. They felt that going to the New World would allow them to practice their religion freely without fear of persecution. However, once Peter Stuyvesant became the governor of New Netherlands, he issued an edict prohibiting anyone in the colony to allow a Quaker meeting to be held at his or her home for the punishment would be a fine of fifty pounds. A notable resident of Flushing, Henry Townsend, was fined and banished after he held a Quaker meeting at his house.  At this incident, many were furious and indignant, and this prompted them to write up the Flushing Remonstrance, a petition signed on December 27, 1657.  The Flushing Remonstrance appealed to Peter Stuyvesant and demanded religious freedom.  This was a significant time in Flushing’s history because this may have been the first time ever that American colonists in general fought for their basic fundamental rights on which America was supposed to have been founded.  Even after the Flushing Remonstrance, Quakers still continued to be persecuted.  John Bowne, another notable Flushing resident, held Quaker meetings at his farmhouse, which he had bought the land it stood on and had built the house himself. The house is still standing today on Bowne Street with just the front part of the house added in 1680.  Consequently, Stuyvesant sent Bowne back to Holland where Bowne was able to present his case to the Dutch West India Company. The Company then wrote a letter to Stuyvesant that established religious freedom in New Netherland in 1663. This ended the harsh persecution of Quakers.  Even though the English took over the colony the following year and still imposed some fines due to Quakers refusing to do military service, they were still allowed to have their meetings without fear of punishment; they continued to meet at Bowne’s house for the next three decades. Bowne donated some land and also bought land next to a burial ground he arranged on Northern Boulevard. This land was used for a house meeting site, which was called the Old Quaker Meeting House, and its first meeting was subsequently held in 1694.

Upon English colonial control of Flushing, all of New Amsterdam, which included Flushing, was renamed as the Province of New York in 1664 (Russell). Moreover, Queens County was then established in 1683, consisting of five towns: Flushing, Hempstead, Jamaica, Newtown, and Oyster Bay (Russell). However, the Flushing in Queens County was larger than present-day Flushing with its border being Newtown on the west by Flushing River, Jamaica on the south by the watershed, and Hempstead on the east by the present-day Nassau County line. During this time, Flushing was heavily populated with flora and was the first site for tree nurseries in the New World (Russell). Kissena Park contained beautiful, exotic trees that would be eventually be supplied for Central Park for the Greensward Plan (Valles). Even today, streets along Kissena Boulevard towards Kissena Park honor the once great trees located here as they are named Ash Avenue, Beech, Cherry, Poplar, Quince, and Rose.

Flushing also played an important factor during the American Revolution, similarly to much of Queens. The majority of the residents in present-day Queens favored the British in the war, and thus aided the British by quartering their troops. Flushing helped the British cause during the Battle of Long Island and also was the location of the heinous hanging of Nathan Hale, an American soldier and spy in the Continental Army, whose last words were “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country” (History of Flushing Meeting). Following the war, New York City’s population increased enormously and started to grow as the economic capital of the world. Because Flushing was nearby Manhattan, it grew and transformed into a fashionable residential area (Weil).

The Town of Flushing continued to grow in population; in 1860, its population was 10,188 according the US Federal Census, and it incorporated new villages such as the Village of Flushing in 1837, the Village of College Point in 1867, and the Village of Whitestone in 1868. However, in 1898, major changes occurred to the Town of Flushing and New York City as a whole. The City of New York consolidated with neighboring locations such as East Bronx, Brooklyn, most of Queens, and Staten Island to form to New York City that is recognized today (Weil). Although Flushing opposed the proposal for a City of the Greater New York, it was still consolidated into the City of New York and became a part of the new Borough of Queens.

In the 20th Century, Flushing continued its economic and population growth in the same manner it had during the 19th century. Bridges constructed over the Flushing River, the construction of the Queensboro Bridge, the development of roads into Flushing, the introduction of railroad service to Manhattan by the Long Long Island Rail Road Port Washington Branch and the development of 7 train line in Flushing in 1928, all heavily contributed to the growth of Flushing as both a commuter suburb and a commercial center (Driscoll). Traffic increased in Flushing so much that a main roadway through Flushing named Broadway was widened and renamed to Northern Boulevard. Surprisingly, Flushing was also a major player in the Film Industry before the surge of Hollywood. RKO Keith’s Theater, built in 1928 and containing approximately 2,974 seats, was a famous movie palace in Flushing that hosted vaudeville acts and appearances by Mickey Rooney, The Marx Brothers and Bob Hope (Driscoll).

However, in the 1970s, the demographics of Flushing started to change dramatically. Flushing was a predominantly non-Hispanic white community with a small Japanese community, but in the 1970s a Chinese community explosion occurred (Chen). At first, those of Taiwanese descent, primarily former soldiers and political supporters of the Chinese Nationalist Party, who lost the war against the Communist Party of China, arrived and developed Flushing’s Chinatown to the point where it was first known as Little Taiwan (Chen). Because the Taiwanese immigrants spoke Mandarin Chinese opposed to Cantonese-speaking immigrants who resided in Manhattan’s Chinatown, the Taiwanese immigrants did not relate to Manhattan’s Chinatown and decided to settle in Flushing where there was better living standards. Over time and up to present day, new non-Cantonese ethnic Chinese immigrants came gradually to Flushing and transformed Little Taiwan into Flushing’s own Chinatown (Chen). Today, Flushing’s Chinese population is very diverse with various regional and provincial dialects spoken and many varied Asian cultures coming together to create Flushing’s beautiful Chinatown.

Overview of Culture Events and Institutions 

Corona Park World’s Fairs

First appearing in 1939, and then in 1964, Flushing Meadows Corona Park hosted two World’s Fairs. These fairs would later become the two largest international exhibitions to be held in the United States. The fairs that were held 1964/1965 was much more known and successful than the first one. The fair’s theme for that year was “Peace Through Understanding”. The main objective for hosting the fair was to showcase the American culture and technology of the mid 20th century. Although initially the turnout was expected to be 70 million in attendance, 51 million people attended the fair. The fair also showcased many American consumer products. Many products included those related to transportation, living, and consumer electronics. The fair is credited to putting Queens on the map as alternative destination from New York’s popular Manhattan borough. What remains of the fair today are the Unisphere, and the ruins of the observatory towers, both of which have been featured in multiple films as a landmark.

Queens Botanical Garden

The Queens Botanical Garden first opened as an exhibit in 1939 during the New York World’s Fair. The garden carries on almost a three century long tradition of horticulture which was famous for their tree nurseries and seed farms. The construction of the garden totaled to an estimated $12 million dollars during construction for the 1964 World’s Fair.

Sports Stadiums

Flushing is also known for housing some of the nation’s most well-known stadiums. The home of the New York Mets, Citi Field is located just a few minutes away from Flushing’s Main Street. Also located in Flushing is the home of the US Tennis Open, the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

Flushing Night Out

Although Flushing Night Out is an event that was established recently in 2015 by the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce, it has become increasingly popular for not only residents in Queens, but it has also attracted the attention of commuters from other boroughs. Flushing Night Out is the first community market and social event to be hosted in downtown Flushing in recent years. Annually, the event brings in local restaurants, artists, entertainers and fashion entrepreneurs. The point of this event for the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce was to help local businesses get acquainted with their community as well as embrace the sense of community in the very diverse town in Queens. This year, the event is hosting four events, each with a different theme including “Summer Nights”, “Beach Day”, “Unwind” and “718 Love”. In their first year hosting this community event, organizers were able to draw in over 3,000 attendees and they expect even more to come for their 2016 dates. The event this year was hosted at Flushing High School, to accommodate the expected attendance increase. The event also comes at a great time to celebrate the 140th year anniversary of the historic Queens landmark: the oldest public high school in New York City.

Citi Field

“Take me out to the ball game!”

Look no further, Citi Field is the place to be! Citi Field is a stadium located in Flushing Meadows- Corona Park. It was completed in 2009 for the home of Major League Baseball’s New York Mets. Citi Field was built as a replacement for the formerly adjacent Shea Stadium. The projected cost of the new ballpark and other infrastructure improvements is $610 million, with the Mets picking up $420 million of the amount. The agreement includes a 40-year lease that will keep the Mets in New York until 2049. It has a capacity of 41,922 people with all green seats. An iconic part of Citi Field is the giant apple with a Mets logo on the front that lights up that rises when a Mets player hits a homerun. A trip down on the 7 train to the second to last stop will take you right in front of the stadium.

 

New World Mall

Opened in 2011, New World Mall became the largest east coast Asian mall. Starting from the lower level, the mall features an exciting food court with over 32 different American and Ethnic food vendors, with a wide range of foods from different areas of North and South-East Asia. One the first floor, J-Mart Supermarket offers 30,000 square feet of all your grocery shopping needs in one place. Seafood, meats, and produce are all delivered on a daily basis to guarantee freshness. One the second level, New World Mall offers a variety of Asian and non-Asian retailers featuring clothing, fashion accessories, shoes and handbags, oriental home decor, apparels, high end jewelry, electronics, hair salons, and many more. Located on the third floor is one of the largest Chinese dim sum restaurants and banquet halls in the Tri-State areas with a capacity of hosting 1,500 patrons.

Skyview Mall

Located in downtown Flushing, Queens, just two blocks from the MTA #7 subway, the Shops at SkyView Center is the regions’ largest mixed-use, multi-level shopping destination. With a much more modern feel than New World Mall, SkyView mall offers leading value brands such as Target, Marshalls, Best Buy, Old Navy, Nike, Adidas, H&M, BJ’s Wholesale Club, and much more. The 700,000 square foot center is located in a vibrant neighborhood with a population density of more than 750,000 individuals residing within a three-mile vicinity. Loacted on 40-25 College Point Boulevard, Skyview Center sits directly in the hub of what could, only, be described as a neighborhood in transition. The intersection of Roosevelt Avenue and Main Street, which is only a few blocks away from the mall, is the third busiest intersection in New York City. With the mix of walking traffic, as well as people who come from all five of the boroughs, the mall is a hub of diversity.

 

Queens Botanical Garden

If you ever need a breath of fresh air in the highly urbanized neighborhood of Flushing, you won’t need to look far. The Queens Botanical Garden began as part of the 1939 New York’s Fair in Queens. After the fair, the garden expanded to take up a larger portion of Flushing Meadows Park. The Queens Botanical Garden now consists of 39 acres of rose, bee, herb, and gardens. It is open to the public and wedding photography on the lawns is popular by appointment. An official description can be found on the gardens website which says, “Queens Botanical Garden is an ubran oasis where people, plants, and cultures are celebrated through inspring gardens, innovative educational programs and demonstrations of environmental stewardship.” A trip to Flushing cannot be complete without a visit to the Queens Botanical Garden.

 

New York Hall of Science

The New York Hall of Science, also known as NYSCI, is a science museum located in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. It occupies one of the few remaining structures from the 1964 New York World’s Fair, and is New York City’s only hands-on science and technology center. The more than 400 hands-on exhibits focus on biology, chemistry, and physics. It presents 450 exhibits, demonstrations, workshops, and participatory activities that explain science, technology, engineering, and math. The hall hosts the world’s biggest Maker Faire every fall. The annual, weekend long event, which has been described as “the ultimate geek fest,” is a family-friendly celebration of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness. Also don’t miss the Rocket Park Mini Golf Course, which reveals that the same laws of motion and gravity that guide the path of a spaceship also control the motion of golf balls here on Earth!

 

Flushing Town Hall

Built in 1862 and designated a landmark in 1967, Flushing Town Hall once served as a civic hub but has evolved into a dynamic cultural venue presenting high-quality, award-winning performing visual and visual arts programs, including theater, jazz, classical, and world music, dance, puppetry arts, exhibitions, and family programs. Visitors can step into a stunning 308-seat concert hall and theater, gallery, gift shop and classroom, and explore a tranquil garden that hosts everything from free concerts to yoga classes. If you walk backstage, you can even find a former jail cell that now serves as a dressing room.

 

John Bowne House

The John Bowne House is a historic home important for its role in establishing religious tolerance located at 37-01, Bowne Street, Flushing. Built around 1661, it was the location of a Quaker meeting in 1662 that resulted in the arrest of its owner, John Bowen, by Peter Stuyvesant. Bowne appealed his arrest successfully to the Dutch West India Company and established a precedent for religious tolerance and freedom in the colony. His appeal helped serve as the basis for the later guarantees of freedom of religion, speech, and right of assemble in the Constitution.  The Bowne House has been a museum since 1947, except for being closed the last ten years. After an exterior renovation, it has recently reopened on Wednesday afternoons by appointment.

 

RKO Keiths Theater

RKO Keith’s Theater is a historic RKO Pictures movie theater located in Flushing. It was designed by theater architect Thomas W. Lamb and built in 1928. The American movie palace, a truly unique national institution, developed and reached its peak in the short period between World Wat I and the Great Depression. Home for a cross between music-hall entertainment and traditional theater, with the addition, as technology permitted, of movies, the movie theater emerged as a luxurious and often exotic palace. Designed to look like a Parisian boudoir, an old Spanish town, or an Indian, Chinese, or Egyption temple, the theater often seated several thousands people and offered vaudeville, organ recital, orchestras, comedians, magicians, and a full length feature film, all for twenty-five cents.