Queens Memory Project

@queensmemory

A community-engaged archiving program and oral history collection supported by Queens Public Library and Queens College, CUNY More Info Here: Subscribe to the Queens Memory Monthly Newsletter:

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Queens Memory Project@queensmemory· 10d

These photos of Gantry Plaza State Park capture Long Island City's shift from industrial hub to modern skyline. CityLights was its first luxury high-rise—shown in August 2001 (with the former Citi tower) and under construction in the late 90s. 📸: Anders Goldfarb #QPLArchives #LICNY #GantryPark

Photo of dock and gantry (bridge-like overhead structure to support a crane or dock equipment) with a single high-rise apartment building behind in Long Island City on the East River.

Photo of pilings for an old dock and a gantry (bridge-like overhead structure to support a crane or dock equipment) with a single high-rise apartment building under construction behind, and an old factory building with smoke stacks - in Long Island City on the East River.

Queens Memory Project@queensmemory· Jul 22

👣 Walk through 250 yrs of American history in Queens! From Flushing to Newtown, 3 virtual tours reveal how local stories shaped the nation. First in our #America250 series with Urban Archive & Queens Public Library! 🔗 Guided tours on @urbanarchive: buff.ly/JyqToRw 🙏 Thanks Lori & Ying!

Queens Memory Project@queensmemory· Jul 16

#TBT to summer 1934 at Rockaway Beach! 🌊 Before AC, this was how you beat a Queens heatwave. Check out this crew keeping cool outside the Park Inn Baths on the Rockaway Park boardwalk at Beach 115th Street. 😎 Stay cool, everyone! 📸Emil R. Lucev Collection #QPLarchives #RockawayBeach #NYC1930s

A group of young men and boys pose on the board walk in front of a building with a sign that reads "Park Inn Baths". A few have cigarettes hanging out of their mouths, they are standing in front of beach umbrella's.

Queens Memory Project@queensmemory· Jul 9

Queens was once dappled with ponds and streams that vanished as the borough grew. John F. Kennedy Intl. Airport—originally Idlewild—is a prime example of how massive infrastructure permanently reshaped the borough's natural waterscape. #QPLarchives #JFKairport #NYCwaterways #HistoricMaps

Queens Memory Project@queensmemory· Jul 2

50 years ago in July 1976, the American Freedom Train hit NYC for the U.S. Bicentennial! These photos capture the Queens Village/Belmont Park stop, featuring Miss U.S.A. Barbara Peterson, a U.S. Marine color guard, and local officials.✨ #QPLArchives #QueensVillage #USA250 #FreedomTrain

Procession outside the 1976 American Freedom Train includes Miss U.S.A. Barbara Peterson led by a U.S. Marine color guard and local officials.

People look at the exhibits on the 1976 American Freedom Train which included George Washington’s copy of the Constitution, the original Louisiana Purchase document, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s pulpit, Judy Garland’s 'Wizard of Oz' dress, and a lunar rock.

Queens Memory Project@queensmemory· Jun 25

A bird's-eye view of Jamaica, Queens in 1972 ✨ This aerial shot looks SW from around 90th Ave & Sutphin Boulevard - King Manor and Rufus King Park are visible in the lower left corner. #QPLArchives #JamaicaQueens #USA250 #NYC1970s #KingManor #RufusKingPark

An Aerial view of Jamaica, Queens in 1972 showing Rufus King Park, Jamaica Avenue, Archer Avenue, the large builiding on Jamaica Avenue is the NYPD Forensics Lab, and a large gas tank near the area where York College is now.

Queens Memory Project@queensmemory· Jun 18

#TBT to June 1965 at the 1964-65 New York World's Fair! 🌍 Fairgoers catch a ride on a "Glide-a-Ride" tram - the Unisphere is in the background. 📸: Jean Moore Honoring Juneteenth: all @qplnyc.bsky.social locations will be closed Fri 6/19 Happy Summer Solstice & Father's Day on Sunday, 6/21! ☀️

Queens Memory Project@queensmemory· Jun 11

It’s soccer time! ⚽️ These 1961 International Soccer League team photos shot in Central Park, feature Spain’s team & the NY Americans. Formed in 1960 and dissolved in 1965, the ISL was a pioneer for the sport in the States, games were played uptown at the Polo Grounds stadium. #QPLarchives

Black and white group photo of a soccer team in striped shirts in Central Park, the San Remo building is visible in the background.

Black and white group photo of a soccer team in Central Park.

Queens Memory Project@queensmemory· Jun 1

Happy Pride! 🌈 We’re honoring Tarlach Mac Niallais Way in Sunnyside, Queens. An activist for LGBTQ+ & disability rights, Mac Niallais co-founded the inclusive St. Pat’s for All Parade in 2000. Explore his legacy via the Queens Name Explorer: bit.ly/436szC4

Queens Memory Project@queensmemory· May 21

#TBT to May 20, 1935 📸 Flushing Armory on Northern Blvd & Leavitt St. and the Flushing Memorial by Hermon MacNeil. The inscription reads: “The World War – In Memory Of Those Who Gave Their Lives.” Have a safe Memorial Day! Reminder: QPL locations closed May 23-25. #QPLarchives @qplnyc.bsky.social

Queens Memory Project@queensmemory· May 14

This May 1966 issue of Queensborough Magazine featured the Annual Building Awards sponsored by the Queens Chamber of Commerce🏆 One of the winners was the iconic "Macy's in the Round," building - now the Queens Place Mall. #QPLArchives #ElmhurstQueens

Queens Memory Project@queensmemory· May 5

Happy Teacher Appreciation Day! 🍎 •Mrs. Russek (Sunnyside) •Students & teachers in shop class at Thomas Edison HS •Ethel L. Cuff Black: First Black teacher at P.S. 108 (Jamaica) •Geraldine Ferraro: Taught in Astoria before politics #QPLArchives #TeachersAppreciationDay linktr.ee/queensmemory

Photo possibly from the early 1950s of a woman - written on the page is "My Teacher" and Mrs. "Russek"

Portrait of teachers and students standing around a woodworking lathe in a High School shop class.

Queens Memory Project@queensmemory· Apr 30

On This Day: April 30, 1939 🌏 The 1939–40 World’s Fair officially opened its gates in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. This photo from the #QPLArchives shows the crowds at the opening ceremony in front of the futuristic Trylon & Perisphere. 🚀 #NYWorldsFair #NYWorldsFair1939

Queens Memory Project@queensmemory· Apr 23

Happy World Book Day & National Library Week! 📚 In April 1937, QPL's Book Bus visited Far Rockaway High. Today, @QPLNYC’s modern mobile libraries deliver books, Wi-Fi, laptops, and gaming to the whole borough! 🚌 #QPLArchives #NationalLibraryWeek #WorldBookDay #MobileLibrary #FarRockaway #BookBus

Black and white photo showing children and teens lined up to enter the book bus outside Far Rockaway High School in 1937.

Queens Memory Project@queensmemory· Apr 16

Monday, April 20, is the 60th anniversary of QPL Central’s 1966 opening on Merrick Blvd! Sharing these 1960s 3D architectural models from the #QPLArchives, complete with tiny figures heading to the library✨ Visit Central on Monday, April 20, for a day of anniversary activities! @qplnyc.bsky.social

Queens Memory Project@queensmemory· Apr 15

Zine/Memoir Workshop for teens with Jonell Joshua! Apr 30, 3-6pm @ Ravenswood Library. Create & share!

Queens Memory Project@queensmemory· Apr 9

pril in Blissville 1930: Looking N on Bradley Ave at Van Dam St in Blissville, Queens. Now part of LIC, the area was named after 1830s landowner & and industrialist Neziah Bliss. Its borders are the LIE, Newtown Creek, and Calvary Cemetery. 📸: Frederick J. Weber #QPLarchives #blissvillequeens

Queens Memory Project@queensmemory· Apr 2

In April 1959, the LIRR launched a "borrow-and-return" umbrella service for commuters. This "Umbrella Bank" at Jamaica Station is looking a bit cleared out—must have been a rainy day! ☔️ #QPLArchives #LIRR

An empty barrel that has "Umbrella Bank" written on it in the Jamaica Long Island Railroad station. A sign above reads "Sorry.. Umbrella Bank temporarily overdrawn."

Queens Memory Project@queensmemory· Mar 26

Take a trip back to 1940s Astoria, Queens! This image from the #QPLarchives shows the Svea Olson Delicatessen & Grocery, once located at the corner of 43rd Street and 28th Avenue. 📸: Photo by Frederick J. Weber #AstoriaQueens #1940s #ThenAndNow

A storefront corner grocery in a brick building in the 1940s.

A storefront corner law office in a brick building in current times - the same building as previous photo.

Queens Memory Project@queensmemory· Mar 19

Happy Anniversary Queens Public Library! 🎂 From 3 branches in 1896 to 66 today, see the originals in 1910: LIC: East Ave (11th St) Astoria: 14-01 Astoria Blvd Steinway: 42-01 23rd Ave #QPL #QPLDay @qplnyc.bsky.social PS: Flushing had the 1st free library -but was not in original charter! 📚

A large group of children stand outside the corner storefront of the Nelson Branch in Long Island City on East Ave (now 47-46 11th St).

The storefront location of the Astoria Branch at 14-01 Astoria Boulevard.

Two librarians in victorian dress at work inside the Steinway Branch, located at 42-01 23rd Avenue.

Queens Memory Project@queensmemory· Mar 12

View across Sunnyside Yard along Hoffman Boulevard (Queens Boulevard) toward Queensboro Bridge in 1911. The Brewster Building, with its clock tower, is at center over in Long Island City. 📸 Photo: Eugene L. Armbruster #QPLarchives #SunnysideYard #LongIslandCity #SunnysideQueens #QueensboroBridge

Queens Memory Project@queensmemory· Mar 10

Digital Declutter: Organize How You Use It. Tues 3/17, 12-2pm. Learn backups & file naming. Join us: buff.ly/SopV72d

Queens Memory Project@queensmemory· Mar 4

Celebrate Women’s History Month in Queens!✨ Exhibit: buff.ly/4h8m1sm Workshop: buff.ly/WY8gLbj Tour: buff.ly/1CU6Wof Talk: buff.ly/DTSaQI4 Map: queenslib.org/explore

Queens Memory Project@queensmemory· Feb 26

In six months, it’ll be July—and we’re already dreaming of Rockaway Beach! ⛱️Take a break from the cold with this vintage postcard of the crowds at Jacob Riis Park, circa 1940. Who else is ready for summer? #QPLarchives #RockawayBeachQueens #VintagePostcards

Queens Memory Project@queensmemory· Feb 18

Jesse Jackson visits Rochdale Village, Queens! 1) In 1993 with Mayor David Dinkins, Councilmen Thomas White Jr. & Archie Spigner. 2) Campaigning for Gregory Meeks in February 1998. RIP🤎 📸 Photo Aaron Slaughter, Rochdale Village Bulletin Collection. #QPLarchives #RochdaleVillage

Queens Memory Project@queensmemory· Feb 12

2026 is the Year of the Horse! 🐎 Here’s a look at some equine finds from the #QPLArchives 1.Dancers & Horse, Ruth Gikow W.P.A. Art Project ca. 1935 2.Charles w/ his horse in Astoria ca. 1916 3.Diana Huang’s Story Quilt Square 2018 #YearOfTheHorse #LunarNewYear2026 Kit Moszynski, Citi + QPL Fellow

Color lithograph print of two female dancers on a stage with a horse with feathers on it's head. A male dancer is in the background.

Black and white photograph of a man with his white horse on a dirt lot on a city street. The horse is jumping on its hind legs. Apartment houses are in the background.

A fabric quilt square with a black felt horse with a red heart silhouetted against red and white floral embroidered fabric.

Queens Memory Project@queensmemory· Feb 10

Our six-month digitial decluttering series continues next Tuesday, 2/17, from 12 to 2pm with audiovisual archivist Marie Lascu. February: Sort, Toss, Prioritize Decide on a first pass organizing scheme to break apart your mass of digital stuff, then test drive it. Sign up here: buff.ly/igQfXYI

Queens Memory Project@queensmemory· Feb 6

Look Back: Feb '72 issue of Transitions Press, which featured this Art & Poetry supplement. Based out of the Langston Hughes Community Library, the local Corona/East Elmhurst newspaper focused on the Black community🤎 #QPLarchives #BlackHistoryMonth #CoronaQueens #EastElmhurstQueens

Queens Memory Project@queensmemory· Jan 29

Talk about a deep freeze! ❄️ In January 1918, Flushing Bay froze so solid it blocked vital coal deliveries to Queens. Officials tried everything to clear the ice, from horse-drawn scrapers - to unsuccessful attempts with dynamite!🧨 📷: #QPLarchives Borough President of Queens Collection #FlushingBay

A group of men with a horse-drawn stand on the ice of a frozen Flushing Bay in 1918.

A group of police and officials stand with a dynamite detonator on a frozen Flushing Bay in 1918.

Queens Memory Project@queensmemory· Jan 23

Snow is coming! ❄️These 1961 photos capture a snowy Main St. in Flushing. 1) Laurel Deli, once located across from @qplnyc.bsky.social Flushing branch near 41st Rd 2) the LIRR bridge over Main St. ☃️ Stay warm out there! 📸 donated by Carole Josepowitz #QPLarchives #FlushingQueens #SnowNYC #1960s