Douglaston Little Neck Historical Society Hopes Exhibit Will Take 'Flight'

The Douglaston-Little Neck Historical Society will help northeast Queens residents enjoy the view with a one-day exhibition next month that will raise money for a commission to develop a “master plan” for Douglaston Village.

The society will present “Flights of Fancy,” a series of 18 aerial photographs of Douglaston and Little Neck, on Feb. 12 at The Douglaston Club, which is located at 600 West Drive. The event will begin at 8:30 p.m. and end at 11 p.m.

“These shots are part of a great tradition,” said Kevin Wolfe, an architect and co-founder of the historical society. “People love this kind of stuff. The photos are blown up, so people can get up close and try to figure out where their houses are. They’ll be able to pick out landmarks.”

The society's event will collect funds for a commission of Douglaston Village’s “Master Plan.” Wolfe said the plan would determine possible locations for new development, improved street lighting and green space in the community.

The historical society raised $31,000 during a December 2009 event that celebrated the community’s weeping beech tree. The group hopes to raise $30,000 with “Flights of Fancy,” Wolfe said.

The money raised at the February event would go toward hiring a firm to assist in the development of the master plan.

“We’re also applying for a matching grant,” he said. “The idea is that between the grant and what we raise, we’d be able to pay the costs of hiring a firm.”

The group plans to take the show to other historical societies or libraries around Queens or Long Island following its debut at The Douglaston Club.

Photographs in the exhibit include shots of both the Douglaston and Little Neck railroad stations, the newly developed Douglas Manor and 19th century sketches of imagined aerial views of the communities. The bulk of the photos were shot between 1925 and 1945.

One photo depicts a structure along Little Neck Bay known as the “Baby Dock.”

“For a time, there were temporarily two docks,” Wolfe said. “Most people don’t know this ever existed. The whole idea of the show is that we can look at this place we call home and see it differently.”

Tickets for the event are $100 and raffle tickets at the event will be $25.

A selection of desserts and champagne will be served at the exhibit.

Those interested in attending should contact the historical society by Jan. 23. But Wolfe said the group would also likely sell tickets at the door.

The society is located at 328 Manor Road in Douglaston. Click here to visit the group’s website.