The 3 Oldest Buildings in NYC

By
Jovana A
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Did you know that you can tour some of the oldest buildings in New York City? They were built in the 17th century in British America and it’s simply incredible that they still stand today. Here are the three oldest ones.

The Bowne House

Located in 37-01 Bowne St., Flushing, Queens, The Bowne House was built by John Bowne in 1661. In 1945, the house was donated to Bowne Historical Society and has started operating as a museum. You can take individual or group tours (currently postponed due to pandemic, check for changes here).

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Once upon a time, we lived near one of the oldest hoses in Queens, NY and New York State at that! The Bowne House is Flushing, Queens, NY! This #sammiihistorylesson is coming straight from bownehouse.org because it was just so perfectly written: The Bowne House (ca. 1661) is the oldest house in Queens and is among the oldest in New York City and New York State. It was built by John Bowne, who emigrated from England to Boston in 1649 and settled in Flushing, Queens, when New York was under Dutch rule. His family prospered in America: the nine generations born and raised in the house produced businessmen, horticulturists, educators and politicians. Over the course of 300 years, the family left its mark on American culture, participating in events of both regional and national significance -starting with John Bowne’s courageous defense of religious freedom in 1662, an act which inspired the principles later codified in the Bill of Rights, and continuing with subsequent generations’ abolitionist activities and participation in the Underground Railroad.

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Lent-Riker-Smith Homestead

This private residence built around 1654-1656 offers private tours for the visitors that cost $50. “Folks are free to stroll thru the garden and take photos. A diagram of the cemetery with the inscriptions of all 132 tombstones is included with the tour. A walk thru of the downstairs living quarters will be given by Mrs. Smith as well. Marion’s book, The Romantic Garden, will be available for purchase”, the home’s website notes. The address is 78-03 19th Road, East Elmhurst, Queens.

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The Lent-Riker-Smith Homestead is the oldest private dwelling in New York City and is the only building remaining from the original Riker estate. The Rikers who were among the first Dutch settlers in the area obtained a land grant in 1654 from Governor Peter Stuyvesant and the modest farmhouse was built in 1656. The Riker family burial is on the property and includes the burial-place of a veteran who died on Valley Forge. The home has been owned by Michael and Marion Duckworth Smith since 1975, who have restored the property. The house is not open to the public but tours can be booked @ http://www.rikerhome.com/ #workscited 1.http://www.rikerhome.com/history/overview.htm 2.https://ny.curbed.com/2014/5/5/10103614/see-11-centuries-old-remnants-of-new-amsterdam-in-nyc 3. A Streetwise History of New York City: Inside the Big Apple by Michelle Nevius & James Nevius 🔹buy their book and try one of 14 walking tours.🔹 #allaboutthebigapple #nycfunfactfridays #funfacts #astoria #lentrikersmithhomestead #dutchhouse #colonialqueens #1654 #astoriaqueens #eastelmhurstqueens #eastelmhurst #rikers #rikersisland #newyork #newyorkcity #manhattan #nychistory #nyc

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Wyckoff House

Built in 1652, the Wyckoff House is officially the oldest building in New York City. It’s located at 5816 Claredon Road, Canarsie, Brooklyn. The house is a museum today, although the visits are currently postponed due to Covid-19.