In Memoriam: Barry Lewis, Life and Legacy

*Image credit the NY Times

This January, NYC lost a wonderful historian, educator, and communicator of the history of NYC. Barry was a lifelong Queens resident living in Kew Gardens, and we hope to honor his contributions with a look at his program produced in 2004 for PBS Thirteen Network. For more info and to access Lewis’ prolific work and legacy please visit: 

https://barrylewis.org/videos/

Lewis is praised for his unique educational lectures and walking tours, infused with his natural ability to bring in comedic relief for the viewers. He exposed the beauty and details of the architecture of NYC in an informative, yet entertaining manner, making it accessible for everyone. These qualities gave him an aptitude for engaging and drawing in any audience to history. We are very proud to exalt this historian as a Queens man.

Lewis has given numerous tours of NYC specializing in architecture and had a series featured on PBS. His enthusiasm, sarcasm, and vibrant personality really made him stand out as a true New Yorker. The characteristics that set him apart from other historians are his contempt for how art history is so often told and the lens in which it is presented. Lewis wanted to teach the public about architecture without the academic jargon and haughty language. Instead, he made his tours informative and fun, often comparing the history he was discussing to pop culture or simple references, or making satirical remarks. 

The tour “A Walk through Queens,” given by Lewis, and David Hartman definitely deserves a huge spotlight and much praise. This tour explored many microcosms of Queens’ various neighborhoods and the many cultures within them, making Queens the most statistically diverse borough. We are most grateful for having part of Lewis’ collection donated to us from his estate. There are numerous items that include his personal notes, tours, and books about Queens. We are excited to use this invaluable resource and looking forward to eventually sharing it with the public.

Click to Watch the 2006 PBS Tour