Have you ever wondered what role your neighborhood played in American history? Were there any American Revolutionary heroes associated with the places you lived or frequented in your neighborhood? This weekend, May 1 to 3, 2026, you will have the opportunity to answer those questions and learn why Jamaica, Queens is so very important to Long Island, New York City and New York State development when you participate in the Jane's Walks NYC 2026 festival. Discover early Jamaica Queens' history and its role in the American Revolution by walking with local residents, educators, and historians in "Finding Colonial Jamaica, Queens" this weekend.
This walk is part of the Jane's Walk NYC festival 2026 which is sponsored by the Municipal Arts Society of New York. Honoring Jane Jacobs, a neighborhood preservationist and advocate for community involvement, Jane’s Walks are hosted annually by the Municipal Art Society of New York. Jane’s Walk NYC encourages people to share stories about their neighborhoods, discover unseen aspects of their communities, and use walking as a way to connect with neighbors.
There will be three opportunities to walk Jamaica Avenue-an ancient road originally carved out by First Nations (Native/Indigenous Americans) groups to trade- and other streets adjacent to this ancient road. The walk will take place on three different days: Friday, May 1, Saturday, May 2, and Sunday, May 3, 2026. The same information will be given on each of the three days.
The walk, led by local history educator, Maureen Grey, will highlight events/structures that occurred/built prior to 1624 when the Dutch colonized Manhattan up to and including 1776 with the battles on Long Island between the Queens county's patriots and the British soldiers and loyalists. Some of these events/structures include: the location of First Nations groups in present day Jamaica; two of the oldest cemeteries in Queens; the roles houses of worship played in the European settlement and development of Jamaica Queens; African American sites and contributions, Jamaica's role in fighting for religious freedom before the signing of the Declaration of Independence; and some of the pivotal roles Jamaica, Queens located on Long Island played in the American Revolutionary War, Long Island, and New York State history. Several historical figures such as Rufus King, Alexander Hamilton, Francis Lewis, John Jay, Nathaniel Woodhull; and George Washington will also be discussed along the walk.
Registered participants are to meet at Grace Episcopal Church located at 155-15 Jamaica Avenue, NY 11434. Wear comfortable shoes.
Interested? Sign up to participate in "Finding Colonial Jamaica, Queens: A Jane’s Walk NYC 2026 walk at:
Friday, May 1, 2026 at 3 PM
mas.org/events/finding-colonial-jamaica-queens/
Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 3 PM
mas.org/events/finding-colonial-jamaica-queens-3/
Sunday, May 3, 2026 at 11 AM
mas.org/events/finding-colonial-jamaica-queens-2/
Learn more and sign up for other walks that highlight Jamaica, New York histories, culture, and architecture at:
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