I work close-by Queens County – NYC Civil Court and every morning on my way to work I pass Rufus King Park. If it wasn’t for Professor Donsky’s “How decedents are honored…” assignment I would not have thought of looking up who this park was named after. Since then I’ve taken a great interest in researching landmarks and monuments I pass by daily. Also, the steel picket fence surrounding the property entrance displays the words from the Preamble of the Constitution
The photos were taken in front of the Rufus King Park, inside the park you will find the Rufus King Manor Museum & Park located Jamaica Ave and 153rd Street, Jamaica, NY 11432. The entire park is just over 11 acres wide. Here is a link to more photos of the premises: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/rufus-king-park-queens.
Rufus King (1755-1827) was a lawyer, statesman and farmer and the park was once his home. He was “the son of a wealthy lumber merchant from Maine, he graduated from Harvard in 1777. King suspended his law studies to serve in the Revolutionary War in 1778. Two years later, King was admitted to the bar in Massachusetts. He served as a member of the Confederation Congress from 1784 to 1787, where he introduced a plan that prevented the spread of slavery into the Northwest Territories. King was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, and made his most famous contribution to American history as a framer and signer of the Constitution.” “Descendants of King’s family lived in the house until 1896 when Rufus’ granddaughter Cornelia King died and sold the house to the Village of Jamaica. When Jamaica, along with the western half of Queens County was annexed by New York City in 1898, the house and the property were turned over to the New York City Parks Department which re-designated the land as “Rufus King Park.”
The house and ground were bought by the Village of Jamaica to be used as a park, and later a city park. King Manor has operated as a museum since 1900. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the house and park are designated New York City landmarks. The manor contains a library which includes three build-in floor to ceiling bookcases. The shelves hold books and senate records. King Manor Museum is open on a regular basis for tours, educational programs, and community events.
Been meaning to look up who Rufus King was for awhile since I walk past the park every morning and glad I finally did, mainly because of this assignment. The 11.5 acre land was given to the town of Jamaica for $50,000. It’s amazing how much history we walk past everyday unknowingly. Based on my research, he seemed like a noble man, fought in the revolutionary war, delegate on the constitutional convention, introduced a plan to help prevent the spread of slavery, and signed the constitution.
As per New York City government parks website, the parks Commissioner just announced on a $2.2M in improvements to Rufus King Park. See website link: http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/rufus-king-park/dailyplant/23374
