Rooted In Flushing: Celebrating 175 Years of the Weeping Beech Tree
Join the Bowne House Historical Society and the Queens Historical Society for a truly historic event!
The Weeping Beech Tree at Weeping Beech Park, Flushing, NY. Credit: E. Helmers, 2021
Date & Time: Saturday, October 15th, 2022 from 2:00pm-5:00pm
Location: Kingsland Homestead, 143-35 37th Ave, Flushing, NY 11354
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The Bowne House Historical Society, 37-01 Bowne Street, Flushing, NY 11354
The celebration of Flushing’s famous Weeping Beech tree’s 175th anniversary will take place at the Queens Historical Society HQ at Kingsland Homestead & the Bowne House on Saturday, October 15th from 2pm until 5pm.
This FREE event is open to the public and will include a cultural dance performance, speeches from elected officials and local historians, children’s crafts, and history programs.
Bowne House
Kingsland Homestead
History of the Weeping Beech Tree:
The Weeping Beech Tree was planted in 1847 by noted Flushing nursery owner Samuel Bowne Parsons who brought the seeds of the Weeping Beech to America from Belgium. The tree was given landmark status in 1966, and was the first living landmark in New York City.
Although the original planting died in 1998, the current tree’s direct offspring can be found in Flushing and throughout the country: all Weeping Beech trees in the United States are said to be descended from this one tree.
This site of the tree in Weeping Beech Park (upon which QHS is also located) was originally part of the Parsons nursery owned by Samuel and his brother Robert Bowne Parsons. Also known for their humanitarian works, the brothers were active in the Underground Railroad.
- The Queens Historical Society