Bowne House, Flushing, NY

Built around 1661 in Flushing, NY, the Bowne House was the location of a Quaker meeting in 1662 that resulted in the arrest of its owner, John Bowne, by Peter Stuyvesant, Dutch Director-General of New Netherland. Bowne successfully appealed his arrest to the Dutch West India Company and established a precedent for religious tolerance and freedom in the colony. His appeal helped to serve as the basis for the later guarantees of freedom of religion, speech and right of assembly in the Constitution.

Lime Tree Farm - Matlock, England

Monument marking the birthplace of John Bowne in Matlock, England. Click on image to view article and video.