Latimer H. Latimer enjoyed the final quarter century of his life in a Victorian home in Flushing, Queens. Today, that home contains five recently renovated galleries that tell the story of Latimer’s incredible life. Born to formerly enslaved parents, the innovative Latimer developed the skills needed to become a master draftsman, worked alongside legendary inventors like Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell, and pursued the arts in his spare time—when he wasn’t coming up with groundbreaking inventions of his own. On August 31st, join Untapped New York Insiders as we learn all about Latimer on an after-hours tour inside his former home!
This in-person tour on August 31st, 2024 is free for Untapped New York Insiders! Not an Insider yet? Become a member today with promo code JOINUS and get your first month free! Registration opens on August 17th at 12 pm ET.
Despite having no formal education, Latimer became a chief draftsman, patent expert, and inventor with seven of his own patented inventions. He made contributions to the development of innovations like the light bulb, telephone, and air conditioning—technologies we’d be hard-pressed to live without today.
After months of renovation, The Lewis Latimer House Museum (LLHM) reopened in time for Juneteenth this summer. The historic 19th-century structure now houses five updated galleries that tell of Latimer’s life as an inventor, artist, and creative writer through interactive and tech-forward displays.
Photo by Nick Wheat
The first gallery visitors enter is called Light Up the World. This space explores Latimer’s legacy on technology, culture, and our daily lives. Another gallery, A Definite Purpose, explores how Latimer overcame the challenges of discrimination to forge a career in science. We learn about Latimer’s family in A Legacy of Imagination, from his parent’s struggle for freedom to his daughters’ contributions to the Civil Rights movement. In the final gallery, Community at the Center, visitors can see Latimer’s impact on the wider African American community. In the Latimer Lab, young visitors can take part in a range of STEAM activities.
Photo by Nick Wheat
“The museum’s newest offerings reflect Latimer’s commitment to collaboration and how embracing diversity can propel society forward,” Executive Director Ran Yan shared in a press release following the house museum’s grand reopening celebrations on June 15th.
Join Untapped New York Insiders on August 31st to experience the new galleries first hand and dive deeper into the life story of Lewis H. Latimer!
The Lewis H. Latimer House Museum will operate with extended summer hours. In addition to its regular hours, visitors can explore the newly revamped museum on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is pay what you wish with a suggested donation of $5 per person.
Nicole Saraniero is the Insider-in-Chief at Untapped New York, leading our Untapped New York Insiders membership program. Nicole graduated from Hofstra University with a Bachelor of Science in Televis
