Institutions
The borough of Queens in the city of New York is the most culturally diverse place on Earth. At the center of this massive cultural melting pot is the neighborhood of Flushing. Located in the north central part of Queens, Flushing in itself is one the most diverse neighborhoods in all of New York. Having a very diverse population, Flushing also has many public institutions to service its population, as well as many landmarks reflective of the neighborhood’s history.
Even more dynamic and diverse than Flushing’s ethnic makeup is its religious makeup. Flushing is one of the most religiously diverse communities in the entire country, so when researching public institutions of Flushing, one would be bombarded with dozens of names of churches that serve the Flushing community. As historian and professor Dr. R. Scott Hanson stated, “…how densely concentrated the diversity is in Flushing: over 200 places of worship in a small urban neighborhood about 2.5 square miles”. Looking at the names of a few of the more well known churches throughout Flushing also reflects the neighborhood’s diversity: Hindu Temple Society of North America, First Baptist Church of Flushing, Community United Methodist Church, and St. George’s Episcopal Church, to name a few.
Though Flushing is a hugely religiously diverse neighborhood, do not be fooled into thinking that the public institutions of Flushing are limited to churches and religious societies. Indeed, Flushing is host to various institutions, clubs, and societies that serve the public in many ways. Perhaps at the top of the list of non-religious public institutions in Flushing belongs Flushing Town Hall. Also known as the Flushing Council on Culture and the Arts (FCCA), this theater is devoted to “developing and promoting the arts throughout the Borough of Queens in New York City…as well as providing vital services to local artists, arts organizations and community residents”. Each year the FCCA plays host to art exhibits, musical performances, and even has their own trolley-driven tour of the neighborhood.
Flushing Town Hall
Another notable public institution of Flushing is the Queens Botanical Garden (QBG). Originally created as a feature in the 1939 World’s Fair, the QBG remains active today, serving as one of the premiere botanical gardens in New York. With a mission of being “an urban oasis where people, plants and cultures are celebrated through inspiring gardens, innovative educational programs and demonstrations of environmental stewardship”, the QBG spans a massive 39 acres of rose, bee, herb, and perennial gardens. The QBG is also home to the ‘greenest’ building in NYC, as its visitor center was given a platinum LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating upon its establishment in 2007.
Queens Botanical Garden Visitor Center
Besides the many public institutions that serve the current population, Flushing is also home to various historical landmarks crucial to the neighborhood’s history. Perhaps the best-known and most historically relevant landmark in Flushing is the John Bowne House. The oldest surviving structure in Queens, this historic home is a crucial part to Flushing and New York City’s history. In 1662, a prohibition was set on the harboring of Quakers. John Bowne defied this prohibition by allowing Quaker meetings to take place in his home. Bowne was discovered and arrested in his home. John Bowne’s house has served as a museum since 1947, to remind the residents of Flushing of the key role Bowne played in the American struggle for religious freedom.
John Bowne House
