The Newtown Historical Society, in collaboration with Council Member Robert Holden, has unveiled its latest exhibit, ‘Historic Maps of Newtown.’
It is now open to the public at Holden’s district office, located at 58-38 69 St., 2nd Floor. The exhibit is available for viewing during regular business hours and will remain on display through the end of 2025.
The collection offers a fascinating visual journey through time, focusing on the former Newtown Township, which once spanned the area between the East River and Flushing River. Featuring rare and detailed cartographic works from the 19th and 20th centuries, the exhibit showcases the works of renowned publishers such as Wolverton, Dripps, Belcher Hyde, and F.W. Beers.
Among the highlights is a massive 3-by-12-foot hand-drawn planning map of the Interboro Parkway from 1933.
“You can picture Robert Moses leaning over this map, examining the path the highway would take. It’s a huge and incredibly detailed hand-drawn sketch,” remarked Christina Wilkinson, President of the Newtown Historical Society.
Other notable items include a never-built traffic diversion plan for Broadway and Queens Boulevard from 1924, a sweeping panoramic view of Kew Gardens along Queens Boulevard from 1936, and a striking aerial photograph of Middle Village from 1931. Several of the maps and documents on display are believed to be one-of-a-kind.
The exhibit combines materials from both Holden’s personal collection and that of the Newtown Historical Society.
“I have been collecting historic maps and photos for decades and it is my pleasure to display some of them alongside Newtown Historical Society’s collection,” said Holden.
“I thank Christina Wilkinson and the Newtown Historical Society for bringing this wonderful exhibition to my office for the public to see.”
Visitors to the office can also enjoy ‘Postcards from Highland Park,’ another NHS-curated display originally unveiled in 2024, which remains on view in the hallway outside the council member’s office.
The Newtown Historical Society was founded to educate the public about the history of the villages that comprised Newtown Township in Queens County. Towns covered include Maspeth, Elmhurst, East Elmhurst, Middle Village, Glendale, Ridgewood, Forest Hills, Rego Park, Woodside, Jackson Heights and Corona.
