The Ghost Legends of Flushing Town Hall

While I have never actually seen ghosts at Flushing Town Hall, I am certain they are there. Flushing Town Hall, a NYC landmark in Queens, celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. One hundred and fifty years and a fascinating past! Built in 1862, this historic building is a stunning example of early Romanesque Revival architecture. The building opened in 1864 and has played several roles through out the years including a public assembly hall, medical offices and the first branch of the Queens County Savings Bank.

Flushing Town Hall served as the gathering place for thousands of soldiers joining the Union Army during the Civil War. As with any old building, the rumors of other worldly events and haunting spirits started to spread after the war. Spooky stories of the Flushing Town Hall ghosts range from sightings of soldiers in Civil War uniforms in the 1970s, to mysterious music heard by construction workers to radios and other electronic devices that turn themselves on and off. I heard from one longtime local about a repair man working in the basement in the 1990's who had his screwdriver handed to him. He was alone. (Yikes!)

Perhaps the creepiest story is the legend of the impresario of the opera house who is said to return to the Flushing Town Hall stage every now and again. The Queens Tribune has the full details.

The building is now a cultural center, managed by Flushing Council on Culture and the Arts, with a 308-seat theater, two visual arts galleries, a classroom and a gift shop. In 1902, a municipal courthouse was housed at Flushing Town Hall and with it came the addition of a jail. Flushing Town Hall was used as the police headquarters (jail cells and all) for the World's Fair in 1939 and 1964, which were sited in the nearby Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Two of these jail cells are now used as backstage dressing rooms. The iron bar doorway is my favorite part!

Many visitors to Flushing Town Hall ask me if I believe in the ghost stories. "I've never seen one," I tell them, "but my colleague, Kevin, has heard the upstairs piano playing when the theater has been empty." I, personally, have not experienced any paranormal activity at Flushing Town Hall. Then again, I make sure never to be in the building alone...

Nada realmente nada...

Son la 12:05 AM. Se supone que yo este durmiendo... But instead I'm Facebooking, blogging and other onlining. With the internet, I can take procrastination to a whole new e-level!

Proudest Monkey!!!!! Thanks John!

So John, a friend from work, just called me (as I am tucking Amanda into bed) from the Cruzan Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach, Florida where he is enjoying the Dave Matthews Band concert. John knows I heart DMB! So nice of him to call with his iPhone so I can hear the live music. Very cool! I am simultaneously grateful and green with envy. BTW, his Facebook status reads “John is on the lawn, Dave Matthews playing Proudest Monkey, what a gorgeous night...” Say hi to Dave for me, John. I am off to wash the dinner dishes.

Weighing in on weight...

How fat or skinny I look has nothing to do with how much I weigh or my actual size. It simply depends on the last time you saw me. If, for example, you saw me last in high school in the 80’s, then I’ve gained more than a few pounds since then! On the other hand, if you last saw me a few years ago when I was 9 months pregnant with Amanda, you would see me much thinner now. So, basically, weight is a matter of time and perspective. I am throwing out my scale tonight. Or perhaps I’ll get back on that diet…

Potato Chips???

I’ve been working on teaching my pre-school age daughter to politely ask for something when she has a need instead of just declaring the need expecting it to be filled (i.e., “May I please have some water.” instead of “I’m thirsty!”.) A while ago we were on our way home and Amanda was snacking in the car. Suddenly she exclaimed, “Mama, I have a booger!” To which I responded, “Soooo?” in my optimistic attempt to get her to ask for a tissue. “Weeeeeell? It’s a big booger.” was the reply. “Aaaaaaand?,” I persisted, still hopeful that I would get the request for a tissue. Finally, tired of my attempts, Amanda lifted the bag of potato chips that she was eating and, in a pre-schooler’s voice dripping with stinging sarcasm, says “Potato Chips?? Do you want me to wipe my nose with this???”