Newtown Historical

Thank you @queensfarm for hosting our Newtown Pippin presentation today. We’ve been asked to present it at venues across Queens so stay tuned for more dates.

Salsa legend Willie Colon was laid to rest today. The cover image for Crime Pays (1972) was shot outside the N&N Service Station on Fresh Pond Road in #Maspeth with a car borrowed from a friend of the station's owner. You can see the FPR sign on the left side of the photo. RIP.

In 1937, the Brooklyn Times Union's Elsie Jean showcased kids' creative writing in her column. A Valentine's poem submitted by Colleen from Middle Village was chosen for publication.

Fun fact: The Ridgewood Reservoir is actually located in Glendale, and was named after "Ridgewood, Queens County" which is now Wantagh, Nassau County where its sourcewater was. The town of Ridgewood, Queens today was once known as "Evergreen" and was re-named after the Reservoir.

The real story is much more interesting than the fake narrative being peddled by people who weren't involved in this project.

We'll be giving a lecture about Newtown Pippin apples at @QueensFarm in March. Sign up here: queensfarm.org/event/historic…

A trove of historic photos, books, and documents has been donated to us by @BobHoldenNYC. We are working to scan and archive them so we may present them in exhibits and slideshows. Thank you, Bob!

@QueensChronicle @BobHoldenNYC @junipercivic You forgot us.

A Ridgewood street corner was co-named to honor the late firefighter and World War II veteran George P. Linnemann last week. @BobHoldenNYC @junipercivic bit.ly/4gVsBmc

Join us on our upcoming Fall Nature Walk on October 18 at All Faiths Cemetery.

A great day for a great man. qns.com/2025/09/street…

Today we dedicated the corner of Linden Street and Fresh Pond Road in Ridgewood as Firefighter George P. Linnemann Way. Born on 64th Street in Middle Village, early P.S. 153 graduate and author of the school song. Scholar athlete at Grover Cleveland High School, Brooklyn College, and Queens College, where in 1940 he set the 220 yard dash record that stood into the early 1960s. He answered the call in WWII, earned his commission, served in the OSS, helped liberate a Nazi concentration camp, and was honorably discharged as a Captain. In 1946 he joined the FDNY and served at Engine Company 218 in Brooklyn. A longtime neighbor on Linden Street off Fresh Pond Road, he died in the line of duty on February 18, 1968 while fighting a four alarm fire in Bushwick. Shortly before his passing he was appointed by Mayor John V. Lindsay to write the official history of the Brooklyn Fire Department. He also led beyond the job as President of the New York City Numismatic Club. Today our community says his name and honors his legacy of service, courage, and scholarship. May every passerby who sees this sign remember a life lived for others. Thank you to his family, the FDNY, our veterans, and neighbors who joined us to keep his memory alive.

Brooklyn Diocese says Maspeth’s Transfiguration Church will not be closed or sold – QNS qns.com/2025/09/transf…

Coming up later this month.

Great events coming up. Let's save the Ketcham House!

Coming up this Sunday in Glendale.

We're working with the council member and other organizations to try to save Transfiguration for the community. Stay tuned. qns.com/2025/07/lithua…

"Happy Independence Day!" "But that's not for two more days." "According to John Adams, it's today!" junipercivic.com/juniper-berry/…

Ptl Albert Bruder’s headstone was dedicated today with his grandson in attendance. Thank you @NYPDHighway, @NYPDCeremonial and @NYCPBA and all the donors who made this possible.

We found a nice spot in the shade to host this event. See you tomorrow.

Congratulations!