Bowne House

Built by John Bowne in 1661, Bowne House played an important role in the early struggle for religious freedom in America. It served as the first place of worship for Flushing's Quakers, whose religion Dutch governor Peter Stuyvesant had forbidden them to practice. In 1662, Bowne was arrested for allowing Quaker services in his home and was banished to the Netherlands. During his exile, he met with Dutch leaders in Amsterdam, described Stuyvesant's persecution of the Quakers, and argued for their right to worship freely. The Dutch reprimanded Stuyvesant and declared, "The conscience of men ought to remain free and unshackled. Let every one remain free." Bowne returned to his house in 1664, and Quaker meetings continued there for another 30 years, until the Friends Meeting House was built. Bowne House is the oldest house in Queens.

New York, New York · United States