Voelker Orth Museum

The Voelker Orth Museum is a residence built in 1891 in Flushing that displays Victorian-era furnishings and photographs. Native plants grow throughout the grounds in a designed garden that complements the domestic life of that period.

The building was constructed in 1891 by Conrad Voelcker, a German immigrant, and served as a private residence for many years. Later it was converted into a museum to preserve the family's story and local heritage.

The house shows how prosperous immigrant families lived in late-19th-century Queens and the way gardens were designed during that era. Visitors can observe how the family used rooms and what plants were popular at the time.

The museum sits in a residential neighborhood in Flushing and is best visited on quiet weekdays when the garden can be explored without crowds. The paths are easy to walk, though the site is quite small and intimate.

The property was one of the first in Queens to receive city landmark status, which protected it from modern development. This designation helped preserve the Victorian estate amid the rapidly changing city.