Jack Eichenbaum: Official Queens Historian
On March 22nd, Greeters gathered to learn about the borough of Queens from Jack Eichenbaum, the official Queens historian.Jack started by saying the reputation of Queens has a new sheen today! "People are calling us, from museums to non-profits to hotels – who want to be in business here."
He then gave a slide show of the attractions in Queens. Some of the better known were:The Panorama in the Queens Museum of Art. The world's largest architectural model, this football field-sized sculpture depicts every single building in all five NYC boroughs before 1992.Jackson Heights. Often called “the most multi-ethnic community in New York City,” Asians, Hispanics, Nepalese, Indians (from India), Argentineans, Columbians, Mexicans and Ecuadorians all happily co-exist. (Check out our Jackson Heights Neighborhood Information Profile)Lemon Ice King of Corona. One of the tastiest ways to beat summer heat is with a cool, sweet Italian ice. The Lemon Ice King has been in business for 60 years and they refuse to mix flavors in containers or cones!Some of the lesser-known Queens spots:Douglaston Manor. This historic district has beautiful mansions built around 1910. It’s also where tennis legend John McEnroe grew up.The Steinway Piano Factory. In the late 19th Century, Heinrich Steinway ran out of room for his pianos in Manhattan – so he built a piano factory in Astoria. A wonderful tour is given every Tuesday from 9:30 -12:00 during the fall, winter and spring. It begins in the lumberyard and follows the path each piano takes to completion. Highlights include the famous rim-bending room where burly workers force lengths of wood into piano-shaped molds. Advance reservations are required; they are fully booked until 2014. Call 718-721-2600, x3112.Arab restaurants on Steinway Street. Jack claims he loves them all, especially Sabry’s seafood. The home-made pita bread, eggplant puree and succulent grilled octopus whet our appetites…for an immediate trip to Queens!