NYC Arts: The Complete Guide to Art and Culture

Built in 1661, the house today looks much as it did when it was new and surrounded by farms. John Bowne, who built the house, was an ardent proponent of freedom of religion and conscience who was banished to Holland for standing by his principles. He was later vindicated, and his struggle helped establish religious freedom as a birthright in the New World.

More than 100 years later, the memory of Bowne's case was reflected in the adoption of the First Amendment to the Constitution. The Bowne House is owned and operated by the Bowne House Historical Society. Every piece of furniture in the house is an original that belonged to the Bowne family, making this museum a unique display of three centuries of one family's changing tastes. Temporary exhibits explore aspects of the history of Queens County and Long Island.

Foreign-language Programs
Information about the Bowne House can be found in Chinese via a link on the Bowne House website (see lefthand menu bar of homepage). 

• Disability Access: Wheelchair accessible, but call ahead to arrange
• Gift Shops: Books, postcards, stationery, quills and memorabilia
• On-Site Food: None; bag lunches permitted in park next door