Cocktails at the Museum

Join us at King Manor Museum’s Annual Cocktail Party Fundraiser, an evening of history, celebration, and community spirit!

Raise a glass in the historic home of Rufus King (1755–1827),framer of the Constitution and antislavery Senator. Enjoy over two hours of open bar, live music, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, games with prizes, museum tours, and a once-in-a-lifetime Constitution Day surprise!

Want to get more involved? Event sponsorships begin at just $250, a great opportunity to showcase your business to thousands of visitors from Queens and beyond.

Your support helps us welcome over 7,000 schoolchildren each year, and with upcoming renovations in 2027, you'll help bring the museum into schools and senior centers across the city.

Let’s toast to the past—and the future!

This year's honoree:

President, Downtown Jamaica Partnership BID

Whitney Barrat has served and led mission-driven, community-focused, not-for-profit organizations for over 15 years, acquiring formidable experience with an array of intersecting disciplines, including non-profit management, governance and operations, urban planning, placemaking, community and economic development, landscape design, sustainable development, historic preservation, public art and small business support and advocacy, amongst many others.

A seasoned planner, project manager and strategist, Whitney’s career highlights include her work as Director of Planning and Administration for the $550M renovation of David GeLen Hall at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and her roles as Executive Director of the Jamaica Center BID (2017-2019) and President of the newly merged Downtown Jamaica Partnership BID (2023 to Present). Prior to her initial arrival in Jamaica, Whitney spent almost a decade working in Lower Manhattan, serving as Director of Construction Mitigation and then as Director of Special Projects for the Alliance for Downtown New York, where she built and managed a $1.5M, HUD-funded public art program that resulted in the production of over 35 outdoor, large-scale public art installations. Whitney then served as Executive Director of the Old Seaport Alliance, a start-up merchant’s association focused on small business support, historic preservation and neighborhood resiliency in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. Whitney’s volunteer leadership roles include 6 and a half years on the New Rochelle Public Library Board of Trustees, where she served as Vice President and President of the Board for five of those years. Whitney is honored to serve as a member of the Board of Directors of the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning, and was recently appointed to the NYC BID Association’s Board of Directors.

About King Manor

Rufus King (1755-1827) bought King Manor in 1805, intending to retire from politics after a distinguished career: American Revolution veteran, framer and signer of the Constitution, U.S. Senator, Ambassador to England, and vocal anti-slavery advocate. In 1819, the slavery issue would compel Rufus to return to the Senate, where he continued to passionately support the anti-slavery movement for the rest of his life.

Rufus’ eldest son John Alsop King (1788-1867) also made his career in politics, serving in Congress, the NYS Legislature, and as Governor of New York from 1857-59. John carried on his father’s legacy of anti-slavery advocacy, strongly opposing the Fugitive Slave Act and other pro-slavery legislation. He and his family resided at King Manor until his own death, after which his daughter Cornelia lived at the house until she passed in 1896.

Open to the public since 1900, today King Manor interprets Rufus King’s political legacy and antislavery history to teach critical thinking for a healthier democracy. We serve over 5,000 NYC schoolchildren every year, offer free community festivals, historic craft days, concerts, walking tours, adult learning programs, and much more!

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