Voelker Orth Museum — Attraction in New York

The Voelker Orth Museum is a hidden gem for anyone fasciated by all things Victorian. The home itself stands out with its coral pink and white coloring, reminiscent of the interesting aesthetics that dominated the 1800s. The museum is also home to a free, public Victorian style garden which also acts as a sanctuary for birds. I visited during the winter, and even though there were no flowers in bloom the garden was still so peaceful; I definitely plan on visiting again during the warmer months just for that garden.

The docent who led our tour was very knowledgable and enthusiastic. She did a fabulous job teaching me about the history of the home and its occupants. It's pretty amazing how this home has so many artifacts from its original owners - the library includes books collected by the family, and the piano is also original as well. To have such an authentic collection of items is pretty hard to come by when it comes to preserving historic homes, so for that alone it's well worth supporting and visiting.

I visited earlier in the day right when they opened, and was able to find parking a block away. The staff were extremely friendly, and seemed to have a deep history with the museum. I purchased some honey, which they produce locally so if you live in the area highly recommend stopping by for some fresh honey. There are also wonderful events that they hold throughout the year, so I recommend checking their website to find your next crafting/historical activity!

Overall, I am so pleased with my visit to the museum and wish I had gone sooner. It's a beautiful piece of Victorian history, as well as a testament to the lives of the middle-class during that time...

Found another diamond in the rough, right in the heart of Queens!

One of the best experiences I've had in a house musem. The staff was kind accommodating and knowledgeable as you'll infer from the description below.

A Queen Anne style home from the late 1800s, the house is exceedingly well preserved and interpreted. Home to 3 generations of a German-American family, the Voelker Orth transports one to a time long past, one where the World's Borough was a rustic countryside and home to only 3% of New York City's population...a far cry from our own time.

Another fun fact...they also raise honeybees and produce their own honey.

Highly recommend a visit to this...

If it wasn't for the Honey Harvest Festival that my gf suggested that we go check out, then I wouldn't have known what a wonderful space this is. There is something peaceful about the house. It's almost as if time slows down a little bit. Helen who is a beekeeper there was very informative and I enjoyed learning about bee's and what the process is like to produce honey. Phyllis gave us a tour of the house and shared some facts about the family. They were able to maintain some of the original furniture but they do have some pieces that were donated that relates to the time period. I enjoyed my afternoon here and I recommend for people who enjoy history to check...