Flushing in Queens in Queens County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Flushing State Armory
Flushing Freedom Mile
This site could be considered the birthplace of religious freedom in America. It was here, on December 27, 1657, that a group of brave Flushing freeholders issued a proclamation calling for religious tolerance. One of these men, Michael Milner, owned the house that stood here.
At the time, Quakers living in Flushing were persecuted by Dutch governor Peter Stuyvesant, who permitted only the Dutch Reformed religion to be practiced. In response, the freeholders addressed a letter to Stuyvesant. In the letter, known as the Flushing Remonstrance, the residents spoke of their desire to "let every man stand or fall to his own Master." The Remonstrance, the first of its kind in the New World, served as the inspiration for the First Amendment to the Constitution.
The Flushing State Armory was built in 1905 to house various units of New York's National Guard.
[Captions:]
The first page of the Flushing Remonstrance, written in 1657. The document is now housed at the New York State Archives in Albany. (below)
The State Armory in 1916, when it was home to the New York National Guard's
this page online
Erected by Queens Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Civil Rights • Colonial Era • Military. In addition, it is included in the New York, Flushing Freedom Mile, and the Quakerism series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is December 27, 1657.
Location. 40° 45.809′ N, 73° 49.739′ W. Marker is in Queens, New York, in Queens County. It is in Flushing. Marker is on Northern Boulevard (New York State Route 25A) just west of Union Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 137-68 Northern Blvd, Flushing NY 11354, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. World War I Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Flushing Town Hall (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Flushing Town Hall (about 300 feet away); Flushing Civil War Monument (about 300 feet away); Quaker Meeting House (about 400 feet away); Friends Meeting House (about 400 feet away); Aspinwall House (about 500 feet away); Flushing High School (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Queens.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 11, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 89 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 11, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
