Performing Arts

Queens County, located in New York State, has a rich and diverse history that spans several centuries. The area was originally inhabited by the Native American Lenape tribes, who fished and farmed in the fertile lands by the rivers and bays. In 1683, Queens County was established as one of the original 12 counties of New York, named after Catherine of Braganza, the queen consort of King Charles II of England.

During the Revolutionary War, the area played a significant role. Some famous battles, such as the Battle of Long Island, took place in Queens. The war left its mark on the county, with many historical sites and landmarks still present today, including the Old Quaker Meeting House and the Jamaica Pass Battlefield.

Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, Queens County experienced significant growth and development. The building of the Long Island Rail Road in the mid-1800s brought increased transportation and commerce to the area. Immigrants from various countries, such as Ireland, Germany, Italy, and more recently, from Asian and Latin American countries, settled in Queens, contributing to its cultural diversity.

In 1898, Queens became one of the five boroughs of New York City, along with Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, and Staten Island. This incorporation into the city led to further infrastructure improvements, such as the construction of bridges and highways. Today, Queens has become a bustling borough with vibrant neighborhoods, renowned cultural institutions like the Museum of Modern Art PS1, and one of the major international gateways in the United States, JFK Airport.