Floral Park Historical Society guest speaker Raymond A. Hoeffner will present the program “Discover Fosters Meadow” on Monday, Oct. 7. In the 1850s, Thomas and Christopher Foster purchased a large stretch of pasture from Hempstead and it came to be known as Fosters Meadow, home to a German immigrant farming community. Today, this area includes Elmont, North Valley Stream, Valley Stream, Laurelton, Rosedale, Springfield Gardens, Franklin Square and influences of Cambria Heights, New Hyde Park, Floral Park and St. Albans. The exact boundary lines of Fosters Meadow have never been exactly defined.
Hoeffner’s family members were among the settlers who arrived on Long Island in 1852 during the early migration of German settlers. Hoeffner has spearheaded projects that focus on the rich history of Fosters Meadow and has collected an enormous amount of information. He enjoys sharing his knowledge particularly with people living in communities in western Nassau and eastern Queens. Families with ties to Fosters Meadow have been actively involved in genealogy and have shared photos depicting early settlers and their agrarian life more than 100 years ago. Donated memorabilia and scanned and restored photos will be displayed in the future at a museum at Rath Park in cooperation with the Franklin Square Historical Society.
The program is free and open to the public and will begin at 7:30 p.m. For more information about “Discover Fosters Meadow” or the Floral Park Historical Society, please call (516) 775-6849.
