By Stephen Stirling
Flushing’s Bowne House will begin its much−needed restoration next week, but not without trying to learn along the way.
The Bowne House Historical Society has hired timber framer Rudy Christian to literally peel back and dissect the wooden frame of the home, a process that will give restorers a greater understanding of how and when the 17th century home was built.
Christian will be giving a demonstration of timber framing, a process in which the skeleton of a building is dissected and analyzed, Thursday outside the historic home at 37−01 Bowne St.
The house, one of the oldest dwellings in the city, is where freedom of religion trailblazer John Bowne held Quaker meetings amid religious persecution by then−New Amsterdam Gov. Peter Stuyvesant.
Flushing residents originally defied Stuyvesant’s ban on practicing Quakerism by signing the Flushing Remonstrance in 1657. Bowne was not a signer of the Remonstrance, which decried Stuyvesant’s ruling and later laid the foundation for freedom of religion in the United States. He was deported for allowing Quakers to convene their meetings in his home for several years.
The Bowne House was built in approximately 1661 and currently looks every bit as old as it is. Leaks, missing shingles, chipping paint and structural woes have plagued the historic home for years, but according to Bowne House Historical Society Executive Director Donna Cartelli, help is on the way.
Through fund−raising and grants from area elected officials, such as Borough President Helen Marshall, City Councilman John Liu (D−Flushing), state Assemblywoman Ellen Young (D−Flushing) and state Sen. Frank Padavan (R−Bellerose), Cartelli said the society has raised $2.1 million, enough to begin a complete restoration of the iconic structure.
By analyzing the building’s timber frame, restorers should be provided with valuable information that will help them accurately restore the Bown House.
Christian was scheduled to give a free demonstration of the process Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information or reservations, call 718−359−0528 or e−mail office@bownehouse.org.
Reach reporter Stephen Stirling by e−mail at Sstirling@timesledger.com or by phone at 718−229−0300, ext. 138.
