Historic Flushing: Colonists, Quakers, and Tree Nurseries!

From the brave English settlers who defied tyrannical Dutch governor Peter Stuyvesant in the name of religious tolerance, to the second-oldest house of worship in the whole USA, to the terrible sacrifice suffered by Declaration of Independence Signer Francis Lewis, Flushing has seen New York history unfold on its grounds since the 1600s. Find out where Thomas Jefferson shopped for trees for his beloved Monticello, and where Quaker founder George Fox preached to hundreds under the shade of two grand oak trees, all here in the erstwhile village once called the prettiest on Long Island.

Please note: This tour is about Flushing from the 1600s through the early 20th century, not present-day Asian Flushing

When to meet: 12:45 for a 1 pm start. I will be holding a sign that reads, "Historic Flushing"

Where to meet: Meet outside the Burger King, near the corner of Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue. Take the 7 to "Main Street", the very last stop. Check MTA Weekender for any updates before heading out: http://web.mta.info/weekender.html

I highly recommend you take the LIRR from Penn Station: Take the Port Washington branch to "Flushing Main Street". This is a 20-minute ride, leaving every half hour. The 12:18 gets you there at 12: 38, plenty of time before the tour starts. Check again closer to the tour date to be certain that the departure time remains the same.

Fee: $25 cash, $20 for seniors 65 + with proof of age; exact change appreciated! Please bring bills, not coins.

The tour will be approximately 2 hours long. For sunny days, be sure to bring a hat and a bottle of water. Check the weather reports on the day of the tour; if there is a chance of rain, please bring your own umbrella. While Friendly Native tours usually do take place on the date and at the time they are scheduled, on occasion they will be postponed in cases of high temperatures or high probability of rain, and an email sent out to that effect to all who have registered for the event. Sorry, please do not bring dogs or minor children age 17 or below on the tours. No audio taping or video taping allowed.

The nearest restrooms to this location are right inside Burger King, and a few blocks away also on Main Street in either the McDonald's or Starbuck's. Please be sure to "take care of things" before the start of the tour!

Some modifications and precautions due to COVID 19:

1. As you know, the mandates on outdoor mask wearing have become less stringent in our city. Even so, I will strongly advise that you DO wear a mask on a tour, because you will be spending two hours or more with a group.
2. I have been fully vaccinated and twice "boostered". I will NOT wear a mask, simply because tourgoers have to be able to hear me clearly above city traffic.
3. For the time being, fee collection will continue to be 15 minutes before the start of the actual tour, so please have exact change to make this easier.