Flushing in Queens in Queens County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Conrad Voelker House
has been placed on the
National Register
Of
Historic Places
in 2020
by the United States
Department of the Interior
Erected 2021 by William G. Pomeroy Foundation. (Marker Number 397.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Immigration • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the William G. Pomeroy Foundation series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.
Location. 40° 45.878′ N, 73° 48.966′ W. Marker is in Queens, New York, in Queens County. It is in Flushing. It is on 38th Avenue west of 149th Place, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 149-19 38th Ave, Flushing NY 11354, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in New York City and on Long Island. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Weeping Beech Tree (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named The Weeping Beech Tree (approx. 0.4 miles away); Kingsland Homestead (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Kingsland Homestead (approx. 0.4 miles away); Kingsland (approx. 0.4 miles away); John Bowne House (approx. half a mile away); The Bowne House (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Bowne House (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Queens.
Also see . . . NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission Profile for the House.
While the National Register nomination form is not currently available on the sites for the National Park Service or the National Archives and Records Administration, this profile was available from the Landmark Preservation Commission. A summary of the house's historical significance (as the Voelker Orth Museum, Bird Sanctuary and Victorian Garden) is on page 1:
The Voelker Orth Museum is significant(Submitted on March 9, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)as one of the very few houses remaining from Flushings early period of suburban development, the years around 1900. Its exuberantly picturesque design and large garden are typical of buildings of the late nineteenth century and recall the period when, due to newly expanding transportation networks, Flushing was transformed from a rural area to a suburban one. During the mid-to-late nineteenth century, the Long Island Railroad created numerous lines and spurs to connect Queens and Long Island with ferries on the East River for access to Manhattan. Many of Flushings large farms, estates and commercial nurseries were purchased by developers, lots were laid out, and large, sprawling houses surrounded by trees and shrubbery filled the newly graded and paved streets. These became homes for the families of successful businessmen who traveled to and from Manhattan each day. The Voelker Orth house was constructed c.1891 as part of the development of the section of Flushing known as Murray Hill. First owned by James Bouton, this house was built on land that was purchased from the Parsons estate just to the west and was one of the earliest houses in the neighborhood. Its picturesque, eclectic style was typical of late nineteenth century architectural exuberance. The variety of materials, rooflines and angles used on a house was a way of showing the wealth and success of the owner. German immigrant Conrad Voelker purchased the house in 1899 and it remained in the same family until 1996 when Voelkers last surviving heir, Elizabetha Orth, died. At that time the house and grounds were converted to a small museum of Queens history, environmental education and a bird sanctuary, according to the terms of her will.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 9, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 9, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
