The Queensmark Award

The Queens Historical Society is proud to present its fourth "Queensmark" awards, this time to Jackson Heights. This semi-annual program was created to honor those structures and sites in Queens communities that deserve special recognition because of outstanding architectural, cultural, or historical significance.The first three communities so honored were Richmond Hill in November of 1996, College Point in May of 1997, and Hunters Point in November of 1997, respectively.

From February through May of this year, the Society's Preservation Committee did a survey of Jackson Heights, studying and examining its varied residential and commercial structures. By driving, walking, taking photographs, and discussing, the Committee finally narrowed its choices to those structures deserving of Queensmarks. Special beautiful bronze plaques are being awarded to the owners of the buildings.

Queensmark is presented each Spring and Fall in a different Queens neighborhood.In each case, community groups and/or leaders are consulted.

Queens Historical Society strongly feels that a Queensmark should maintain the high criteria that characterize a Landmark designation. To that end, the Preservation Committee includes an architect, an architectural historian, historical researchers, and a leader of a landmarked historic district.

An ultimate goal of the Society is to increase the awareness and sensitivity of Queens residents to the Borough's heritage and history as expressed in its built environment, whether a house, a factory, a park, or a store. These, and various other structures, all present a story of the past, and, in their own ways, are as much a part of that past as any will, deed, or old newspaper clipping. By developing an increased pride in our borough and its various communities, individually and collectively, can preserve our heritage, and secure it against unwelcome and unnecessary changes.