2. John Bowne House, Queens (1661)Â
The circa 1661, Bowne House, in Flushing, was constructed by John Bowne. Bowne was a Quaker who was instrumental in bringing religious freedom to the burgeoning colony. In 2009, the wood-frame house joined the Historic House Trust. It is currently under renovation and will hopefully be open to the public again soon. Queens is also home to the oldest private residence in New York City, the Lent-Riker-Smith House.