By Stephen Stirling
Liu said he expects the century-old museum, which houses a bird sanctuary and a Victorian garden, to gain the final approval it needs from the City Council for landmarking status when it comes before the governmental body later this month. The museum, located at 149-19 38th Ave., still needs the approval of the Council's Landmark Committee on Thursday before the entire City Council votes on it Jan. 30. Liu said he does not anticipate any roadblocks. “I'll eat my hat if the Land Use committee doesn't approve the subcommittee's recommendations and I'll eat my boots if the City Council doesn't approve the Land Use committee's recommendation after that,” he said. Built sometime around 1890 – the exact date of construction is not known – the Voelker-Orth House was built with a variety of materials and rooflines and sits on a 10,000-square-foot lot at 149-19 38th Ave. German immigrant Conrad Voelker bought the home in 1899, and it remained in his family until 1996, when the last remaining heir – Elizabeth Orth – died. She left instructions in her will to turn the house and grounds into a museum of Queens history and environmental education, which it has served as for the last decade.Roland “Chuck” Wade, president of the Voelker-Orth Museum board of trustees, said Elizabeth Orth would have been proud to see the historic home gain landmarking status. “Mrs. Orth was an unassuming, quiet lady,” Wade said. “She loved gardens, she loved birds, she loved history and she knew the importance of preserving the history of Flushing so that future generations would appreciate the contributions of past residents.” If approved by the City Council, the Voelker-Orth House will join a host of other recently landmarked buildings and neighborhoods in Queens, which has seen more designations in the last five years than any other borough.Reach reporter Stephen Stirling by e-mail at Sstirling@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 138.
