Senator Rufus King, a (Massachusetts) Signer of the Constitution, Abolitionist and First US Ambassador to England after the Revolution - his weekend home in Jamaica, Queens, NY

In Draft:

Senator Rufus King, Signer of the Constitution, Abolitionist and First US Ambassador to England after the Revolution

The things that you find in NY will surprise you consistently as you walk with the modern and find yourself at once inextricably close to a theme of Revolutionary discovery.  Such an experience is least expected in Jamaica Queens NY which is currently known more as a Transport Hub then the historical home of Senator Rufus King one of the original Massachusetts signers of the Constitution, a vocal opponent of Slavery, and the First US Ambassador to England after the Revolution.

What was once his Holiday House and retirement abode is currently a museum located in the heart of Jamaica Queens NY near the Family Courts and the Social Security Administration in Queens and not so far from the Air Rail to JFK Airport. The spacious abode was a build out from a smaller house to a bigger Farm and as touring the house per chance it became interesting to observe Senator Rufus King's affiliation which is not so commonly anticipated but speaks to something interesting in NY History worth further research.

New York has an important history that roots to the foundation of these United States. In the North in Westchester and upstate in Albany / Rensselear this is more readily apparent. But in the City the signs are more subtle consisting of more limited remnants of the birth of the Nation, many sites in Brooklyn and in Jamaica Queens

The New York State Historical Society has some strong resources on History as does the NY Public Library (link here to the Digital Collection)

Senator Kings dining room / guest room

Senator Kings Dining Room and the three part break away table that converted the room to a parlour with three guest tables and a dance  music floor for guests bearing notable strong acoustics and as such being converted several times a year for chamber music  and folk music performances.

There is more on the museum here at the Rufus King Museum site which is King Manor Museum.

Rufus King had a prolific library, the books from which currently reside with the New York Historical Society. They were hidden behind four paneled walls and if you see it (know that they were full prior to transfer to the NYS HS for safekeeping in climate control) you'll understand that he read alot as the account was he had to be pulled from the reading room where he would spend hours reading and studying as much knowledge as you could expect was needed in the formation of the Nation and conduct of Trade and other key needs related to Policy, Communications and Research.

In what was his favorite room with as many books as one would read in the pursuit of as much knowledge as is required of leadership in a pre-information technology age one can appreciate the sense that Senator King was dedicated to learning and growth.

Will map on more on his personal story here.

The odd and strong link of connection being in follow up to a meeting at BACC finding such a strong link of connection in Jamaica, NY as a location with a rich history in connecting the US - UK lines through diplomacy.