50 Years of Growth – August ’25

The Greenhouse Complex reflecting sunlight (left) and one of the range houses, built by the King Construction company as part of the complex expansion (right).

The horticultural history of Queens is often overlooked; however, the impact the county has had on farming is profound. Outstanding agricultural soil and mild climate conditions led to the creation of several famous nurseries. George Washington even came to Queens to buy trees! Greenhouses were constructed to further this unique history, such as the Museum’s Greenhouse Complex.

The Complex was first constructed in 1929 as a wood-frame potting shed with wood shingles, multi-paned windows, and shutters. The range houses, referred to as the East and West Houses, were built by the King Construction Company of North Tonawanda. By 1934, Creedmoor wanted to expand, which led to the construction of the final range house, the South House, built by the Metropolitan Greenhouse Company of Brooklyn. However, the Complex was abandoned and vandalized throughout the years until the Museum took over in 1975.

After nine long years of negotiations with the Department of Parks about how to properly restore the complex with homage to historical accuracy, renovations were finally underway. By 1997, the Greenhouses were ready to open to the public. Although reconstruction compromised some historical accuracy, the Museum’s greenhouses are likely still the first wood-based greenhouses to be constructed in the United States within the last 50 years!

Today, all parts of the Greenhouse Complex remain functional and are quintessential to the Museum. The main section is our visitor center and Farm Store, where you can purchase locally grown products. The South and West houses are where our plants are seeded and germinated to be grown in our fields. Lastly, seasonal plants and seedlings for purchase can be found in our East house.