Jun. 20, 2023 By Carlotta Mohamed
Six Queens historical institutions are featured in the New York Landmarks Conservancy online exhibition showcasing photography and architectural history of 50 sites throughout the city as part of its 50th anniversary yearlong celebration.
The New York Landmarks Conservancy launched “50 at 50,” an extraordinary interactive, online exhibition featuring highlights from the Conservancy’s most iconic, memorable successes in preserving and protecting the architecture that helps make New York the greatest city in the world. Additionally, the conservancy produced a lively summary of its 50 years in an online and print magazine compiled by Architectural Historian Anthony Robbins.
Since its founding, the New York Landmarks Conservancy has loaned and granted more than $60 million, which has leveraged more than $900 million in more than 1,300 restoration projects throughout New York, revitalizing communities, providing economic stimulus and supporting local jobs.
This year marks a half-century of vital work and determination by the Landmarks Conservancy to save the city’s unique architectural heritage and the impact of its work in diverse neighborhoods, borough by borough.
In Queens, 44 Sacred Sites grants benefitted 18 historic religious sites, totaling $550,000 helping to fund more than $17 million in repair and restoration projects.
“Queens has amazing layers of architectural history that make this borough unique,” said Peg Breen, president of the NY Landmarks Conservancy. “It’s been an honor for us to help so many people and institutions maintain their historic buildings. We will continue to protect the borough’s special character.”
The conservancy has worked regularly in the Jackson Heights Historic District on historic co-op buildings as well as assisting property owners with individual landmarks for a total of 25 projects for $6.5 million and $40,000 in grants, totaling over $6.5 million in preservation projects.
From 1986 to 2023, the Conservancy’s Nonprofit Technical Assistance Grant Fund has worked on three projects in Queens and awarded grants of $48,225. In the 24 years since its inception, the Emergency Preservation Grant Program has provided nine grants, totaling $106,329 to significant historic sites in Queens.
Here are the six Queens institutions featured in the conservancy’s “50 at 50” online exhibition:
Congregation of Tifereth Israel
Congregation Tifereth Israel.Photo by Noel Sutherland
Flushing Friends Meeting House
Flushing Friends Meeting House.Photo by Noel Sutherland
Flushing Bowne House.Photo by Noel Sutherland
Church of the Most Precious Blood
Church of the Most Precious Blood in Corona.Photo by Noel Sutherland
The TWA Flight Center and Hotel in Jamaica.Photo by Noel Sutherland
The Conrad Poppenhusen Institute
Conrad Poppenhusen Institute in College Point.Photo by Noel Sutherland