Queens has long been a place where the ideals of America come to life—more than 120 languages, countless traditions and perspectives, and the promise of opportunity for all.
As we mark 250 years of America’s independence, Queens Public Library will continue to be a place where you can learn, connect, and belong, and we can examine and create the American story of freedom together!
Explore our exciting America 250 programs, events, and resources—available to you all summer long!
America 250 Special Edition Trading Card
This year, we celebrated QPL's 130th anniversary with 67 unique trading cards that focus on each QPL location.
We have also created a special trading card in honor of 250 years of America’s independence!
The America 250 Special Edition Trading Card is available now at all QPL locations, while supplies last.
Learn More about our QPL 130 Trading Cards.
America 250: Queens Walks with Urban Archive
Discover the historical sites in Queens that are connected to the story of American Independence!
Explore these virtual walking tour maps created by our partners at Urban Archive.
Queens Walks: Newtown (the areas now known as Elmhurst and Long Island City)
The printable versions of these maps will be available at all QPL locations later this summer, so you can take these historic Queens Walks in person!
New Deal Art: WPA Prints from the QPL Archives
Did you know that Queens Public Library has an extensive collection of art from the Works Progress Administration’s Federal Art Project?
The Works Progress Administration (WPA) was part of the New Deal series of programs launched by the federal government during the Great Depression to help revitalize the American economy, spirit, and way of life.
We're proud that QPL is home to many lithographs, drawings, prints, and other pieces of art created during the Federal Art Project, and you can explore them online here!
Before New York: A Traveling Pop-Up Exhibition
This exhibit created by the New York Botanical Garden will show us what our city looked like over 400 years ago, long before skyscrapers, sidewalks, and streets ever existed.
Dr. Eric Sanderson and his colleagues have spent 25 years researching the original landscape of New York City, and recreating it with panoramic images, digital soundscapes, and much more.
Dr. Sanderson will share the ecological history of Queens with us when Before New York arrives at Central Library this summer!
Our Before New York programs will include a community dialogue on Saturday, August 1st to explore how the landscape of Queens has changed over time; and a lecture by Dr. Sanderson on Wednesday, August 12.
Learn More about Before New York, which you can visit at Central Library in Jamaica from July 25-August 23.
America 250 Programs
Join us for QPL’s America 250 Programs for all ages, including arts and crafts, author talks, concerts, conversations, storytimes, and much more!
Here is a selection of our America 250 programs. Visit the QPL Calendar to see the full list!
Click on the links below for more information.
America 250: Films of the American Experience (In-Person)
Wednesdays, July 1-29, 2pm
Forest Hills Library
108-19 71 Avenue
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America 250: Literary Thursdays: Joseph S. Moore, Author of How to Get Rich in American History (Virtual)
Thursday, July 16, 6pm
Join us on Microsoft Teams: https://queenslib.org/D9tY7
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America 250: Finding Information on American History using Electronic Resources (In-Person)
Monday, July 20, 10:30am
Central Library
89-11 Merrick Boulevard, Jamaica
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Summer at the Library: America 250: The Evolution of New York City (In-Person)
Tuesday, July 21, 2:30pm
Ridgewood Library
20-12 Madison Street
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America 250: Literary Thursdays: Michael Bronski, Author of A Queer History of the United States (Virtual)
Thursday, July 23, 6pm
Join us on Microsoft Teams: https://queenslib.org/EzH6
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America 250: From Cream to Butter: A Colonial Cooking Workshop (Virtual)
Thursday, July 30, 2pm
Join us on Zoom: https://queenslib.org/4561uj8
Meeting ID: 819 4869 3347
Passcode: America250
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America 250: Literary Thursdays: Linford D. Fisher, Author of Stealing America (Virtual)
Thursday, July 30, 6pm
Join us on Microsoft Teams: https://queenslib.org/4uYH
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America 250: Discovering the Ecological Stories Beneath our Neighborhoods (In-Person)
Saturday, August 1, 12pm
Central Library
89-11 Merrick Boulevard, Jamaica
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Summer at the Library: Middle School Maker Clubs: Writing Democracy (In-Person)
Wednesdays, August 5-26, 4pm
Lefferts Library
103-34 Lefferts Boulevard, Richmond Hill
Thursdays, August 6-27, 3:30pm
Bayside Library
214-20 Northern Boulevard
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America 250: The Future of Democracy: Conflict, Disagreement, and Civic Life (In-Person)
Thursdays, August 6 and September 3, 6pm
Ridgewood Library
20-12 Madison Street
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America 250: Flavors of Home: A Multi-Cultural Recipe Exchange for New Americans (In-Person)
Friday, August 7, 12pm
Queens Village Library
94-11 217 Street
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America 250: Before New York: A Public Lecture on the Historical Ecology of Queens with Dr. Eric Sanderson (In-Person)
Wednesday, August 12, 5:30pm
Central Library
89-11 Merrick Boulevard, Jamaica
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America 250: Richard Melnick, Author of Long Island City in 1776: The Revolution Comes to Queens (In-Person)
Thursday, August 20, 6:30pm
Woodside Library
54-22 Skillman Avenue
America 250 Booklists
Check out our recommendations for all ages and enjoy these books that explore and celebrate America's 250th anniversary!