City Kicks Off $10 Million Renovation for Queens County Farm Museum
Project will restore barn, add ADA-accessible ramp, plus other upgrades to historic landmarked museum
DDC: Denisse Steltzer, 718-391-1854, morenode@ddc.nyc.gov
NYC Parks: 212-360-1311, pressoffice@parks.nyc.gov
(Queens, NY – October 15, 2026) NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner Paul A. Ochoa and NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura today announced the start of a $10 million upgrade and accessibility project for the Queens County Farm Museum’s barn and garage building. The historic structure is a designated New York City Landmark, on the National Register of Historic Places and part of the Historic House Trust of New York City.
"The Queens County Farm Museum tells a story of New York City's agricultural past, and this project affirms the museum can continue to do so well into the future," said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. "By improving accessibility, restoring the historic barn, and delivering essential upgrades to the museum's electrical, plumbing, and fire safety systems, we are ensuring this local landmark can continue to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors each year."
“We are lucky to have a legen-dairy site like the Queens County Farm Museum in New York City where guests, entire families and students can have a great time and learn about agriculture and the history of the land. With this $10 million project, we will make the upgrades needed so it can continue to serve visitors for many more years,” said NYC Department of Design and Construction Commissioner Paul A. Ochoa. “The overall restoration will repair the roof and upgrade the façade, windows and other interior spaces of the museum’s historic barn house and garage. We will also install a new ADA-accessible ramp for a more welcoming entrance, as well as a new road, sidewalk and additional greenery outside the building.”
"Historic houses are where our city's history comes to life. This $10 million renovation will help the Queens County Farm Museum continue to serve as a gateway into New York City's past, connecting New Yorkers over our shared history and inspiring generations to come," said NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. "We're proud to work with our partners at the Historic House Trust to care for the 23 historic houses throughout the five boroughs and make sure all New Yorkers can visit, enjoy, and learn from these sites. We're grateful to HHT, DDC, LPC, and our partners across City government for helping make these enhancements to the historic barn and garage building."
“The Horse Barn stands within the historic core of Queens County Farm Museum and carries forward the continuum of agricultural work that has shaped this land for more than three centuries," said David Hughes, Executive Director at the Queens County Farm Museum. "This restoration protects an essential part of New York City’s farming history while ensuring the building can continue to support our staff, educators, animals, and visitors for generations to come.”
Located at 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy, the Queens County Farm Museum occupies the City’s largest remaining tract of undisturbed farmland. The 47-acre site, which dates back to 1697, includes historic farm buildings, a greenhouse complex, livestock, farm vehicles and includes planting fields, an orchard and herb garden. The museum, built in the 1920s, sees 600,000 visitors annually and educates visitors on various topics, including biodiversity, nutrition, climate change and preserving local history. The barn/admin building was destroyed by a fire in the 1960s and was reconstructed in 1992. Over the years, the building’s roof and façade have deteriorated, and the project will also address water infiltration and other structural issues.
Work will include the restoration of the museum’s historic barn and garage, which are connected in a single building and are used for administrative and public gathering purposes. Upgrades will include a new HVAC system and building envelope improvements for better insulation and energy efficiency. A new boiler will be installed, and electrical, plumbing, fire alarm and sprinkler systems will all be upgraded. The barn’s roof and skylight will be restored, replicating the previous look of the historic building. Work will also include structural changes and the stabilization of the building. The faux garage doors and windows will be restored. Exterior work will include painting, the installation of a new ADA-accessible entry ramp, asphalt paving and sidewalk restoration. The project will also add a new tree, shrubs, grass, ferns and over 140 new perennials.
Temporary trailers are being provided for the museum to use as office and classroom spaces during construction. Work is expected to be completed in spring of 2027.
“They say you can’t turn back the clock. At Queens Farm, we did,” said James Trent, Founder, President and Board Chair of Queens County Farm Museum. “We revived a farm whose story began in 1697, reconstructed buildings that had disappeared, and restored a farmhouse built in 1772. Today, at 47½ acres, Queens Farm remains the largest tract of undisturbed farmland in New York City.”
“The Queens County Farm Museum is one of New York City’s last operating farms and the longest continually farmed site in New York State, making it a rare and invaluable survivor of the city’s agricultural past,” said Giulietta Fiore, Executive Director of the Historic House Trust of New York City. “First established in the 17th century, this nearly 50-acre landscape has sustained agricultural production and community engagement for more than three centuries. This restoration project focuses on renewing the heart of staff operations within the historic core buildings, ensuring they can continue to support the museum’s daily work. We are thrilled to be partnering with DDC, NYC Parks, and the Queens County Farm Museum to adapt the property for future use, strengthening its role as a working farm, educational resource, and public destination for generations to come.”
“Designated by LPC as an individual landmark in 1976, the Queens County Farm has connected generations of visitors to New York City’s agricultural heritage,” said Landmarks Preservation Commission Chair Lisa Kersavage. “This project shows how thoughtful preservation can protect the site’s historic character while making it more energy efficient and accessible, ensuring this unique landmark continues to serve as a welcoming place to learn, explore, and experience our city’s rich history.”
"The Queens County Farm Museum is a cultural crown jewel of our borough, a model of sustainability and a critical player in our efforts to combat food insecurity, climate change and more," said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. "This renovation project will not only help stabilize its aging barn and optimize its energy efficiency, but make it more accessible for all New Yorkers and cement it as a must-visit during trips to the farm. Thank you to our partners at DDC for this critical investment."
“The Queens County Farm Museum is a cornerstone of our borough and our city. As the last operating farm in New York City, it offers visitors unique educational and interactive experiences,” said Council Member Linda Lee. “I am proud that the City’s $10 million investment to repair the Farm Museum’s barn and garage will help ensure that the farm continues to serve our communities. As we remain committed to preserving our green spaces, especially historic sites like the Queens County Farm Museum, this investment will strengthen and restore the farm so it can be enjoyed by generations of New Yorkers to come.”
“Eastern Queens is fortunate to have a local gem like the Queens County Farm Museum, a truly unique cultural, educational, environmental, and agricultural institution, in the neighborhood,” said Assemblyman Edward Braunstein. “I celebrate the City’s $10 million investment to upgrade Queens Farm’s barn and garage, which will help ensure that the staff and volunteers at the historic site can continue doing the important public-facing work that reaches students, families and visitors from throughout New York City. Thank you to the NYC Departments of Design and Construction and Parks and Recreation for stewarding this project.”
About NYC Parks
NYC Parks is the steward of more than 30,000 acres of land — 14 percent of New York City — including more than 5,000 individual properties ranging from Coney Island Beach and Central Park to community gardens and Greenstreets. We operate more than 800 athletic fields and nearly 1,000 playgrounds, 1,800 basketball courts, 550 tennis courts, 66 public pools, 52 recreational facilities, 15 nature centers, 14 golf courses, and 14 miles of beaches. We care for 1,200 monuments and 23 historic house museums. We look after 666,000 street trees, and five million more in parks. We are New York City's principal providers of recreational and athletic facilities and programs. We are home to free concerts, world-class sports events, and cultural festivals.
About the NYC Department of Design and Construction
The Department of Design and Construction is the City’s primary capital construction project manager, providing New York’s diverse communities in all five boroughs with new or renovated public buildings such as firehouses, libraries, police precincts, and new or upgraded roads, sewers and water mains. To manage this $34 billion portfolio, DDC partners with other City agencies, architects and consultants, whose experience bring efficient, innovative and environmentally-conscious design and construction strategies to City projects. For more information, please visit nyc.gov/ddc.