All are welcome to Sunday worship at 11 a.m. and guided tours
at noon. Pre-arranged tours at other times are possible.
Inside scoop: The Quakers would secretly meet in the Flushing
woods before they had this meeting house.
Address: 137-16 Northern Blvd., Flushing, and www.nyym.org.
FORT TOTTEN/BAYSIDE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Founded in 1964, the Bayside Historical Society advocates for
preservation and protection of the area’s historical spots. The
society maintains two landmarked properties: the Officer’s Club
at Fort Totten Park, where the society is based; and the Lawrence
Cemetery, located in a wooded area at the corner of 216th Street
and 42nd Avenue.
The Officers’ Club, also known as “The Castle,” boasts a Gothic
Revival style. Completed in 1887, the building served as a mess
hall and club for the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
The Lawrence Cemetery was granted to the Lawrence family by
Dutch Governor Willem Keift of New Amsterdam in 1645. It’s
the final resting place of Cornelius Van Wyck Lawrence, Mayor
of New York City from 1834 to 1837.
Inside scoop: Fort Totten Park was an active Army base from
1857 until 1995 and the home to four major Army hospitals
since the Civil War. The Fire Department of New York presently
controls about one third of the property and the NYC Parks
Department controls another third.
Address: 208 Totten Ave., Bayside, and
www.baysidehistorical.org.
GREATER ASTORIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Chartered in 1985, the Greater Astoria Historical Society
promotes, preserves, studies, and teaches local history. Through
its affiliate, Forgotten NY, GAHS organizes tailored programs
such as lectures, community tours, exhibits, films, and readings.
The nonprofit’s 200,000-item library/research center has the
expected books, photographs, maps, memorabilia and newspaper
clippings along with something unexpected, NYC’s largest
postcard collection.
GAHS members contribute articles to media outlets, designate
plaques at noteworthy locations, acquire historically significant
artifacts, and advocate for community preservation.
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