Explore the incredible life of Lewis Latimer, the son of emancipated Virginians, who became a self-taught expert draftsman, poet, artist, and innovator who worked with inventors like Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell. Credited with seven patents, Latimer’s improvements to the lightbulb made electric lighting more practical and affordable.

Brand new galleries and interactive displays in the museum will transport you through time as you discover how Latimer and his family navigated through several important time periods of U.S. and world history. Listen to Latimer’s poetry read aloud by cranking through the Poetry Machine, use the touchscreen Invention Machine to see how Latimer’s patents worked, and scroll through the “Together We Rise” wheel to learn more about the community effort to preserve Latimer’s story and save his historic Queens home.

Saturday & Sunday House Tours: 12-3pm

Saturday Performances: 1:30, 2:30, & 3:30pm

Exercise creativity during an afternoon of dance, art and science, led by dancers from Valerie Green/Dance Entropy! Create wearable drawings inspired by astrophotography and use this work as props as to learn movements from EVERYTHING, a production that explores constellations, space, time and our ever-expanding universe.

Family Programming: Families can grab a copy of the Latimer Buzz magazine to complete activities together and take selfies using fun filters fit for young inventors and innovators!

There is an accessible ramp that leads to the house museum entrance. Please note that parking is extremely limited. Street parking is available around the perimeter of the home.

Looking for a place to grab a bite or a drink while you’re exploring? Check out The Infatuation’s top Flushing picks.