Flushing Greenspace Has World’s Fair Roots
A new exhibit celebrating the history of Queens Botanical Garden (QBG) in Flushing opened on Tuesday, May 6, in the gallery of the garden’s visitor and admininstration building.
“Harvesting our History: The Story of Queens Botanical Garden” is part of QBG’s extensive season of special events celebrating the 50th and the 75th anniversaries of the New York World’s Fairs, with which QBG’s history is inextricably linked.
The Queens Botanical Garden grew out of the “Gardens on Parade” display at the 1939 fair and was moved to its present location to make way for the 1964 New York World’s Fair. QBG’s story-its origins, development and continued flowering-reflects the borough’s love of plants and community. Harvesting Our History tells that story in photos, memorabilia and documents in an exhibition conceived, designed and produced by Morrill Support, Ed and Joyce Morrill, founding members of QBG’s Gallery Committee.
The inspiration for this exhibition is the borough-wide celebration and commemoration of the two World’s Fairs, but the Harvesting Our History project has a dual purpose. The display on the front wall of the gallery integrates pivotal moments that led to the garden’s creation, while displaying the drama and excitement of those two large scale international fairs.
The images and text displayed on the long wall of the gallery mark important QBG milestones and project future aspirations. Printed on 15 permanent panels, the exhibit will have future use for educational and historical purposes.
It is a project of visual storytelling that integrates the collaborative efforts of the designers and Queens Botanical Garden staff, particularly the Gallery Committee and World’s Fair Committee members. It draws on materials from the QBG archives, public archives and private collections.
The Harvesting Our History exhibit celebrates the past and looks to the future of Queens Botanical Garden, the place where people, plants and cultures meet.
On Sunday, June 8, from 2 to 4 p.m., all are invited to a public celebration and reception for the exhibit “World’s Fair Voices”-hear our stories, share yours. Meet the curators, the daughter of one of the founders, share stories with others who visit our World’s Fair Exhibit. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with the exhibition, your neighbors, and our shared history.
Harvesting Our History: The Story of Queens Botanical Garden will be on display through Sunday, Sept. 28. The gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Entrance to the gallery is free with garden admission ($4 for adults; $3 for seniors; $2 for students and children; free for QBG members).
Queens Botanical Garden is located at 43-50 Main Street in Flushing. For travel directions and more information visit www.queensbotanical.org or call 1- 718-886-3800.
Queens Botanical Garden is located on property owned by the City of New York, and its operation is made possible in part by public funds provided through the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, Queens Borough President, the New York City Council, State elected officials, the New York State Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, along with corporate, foundation, and individual supporters.
