Flushing Institute

Flushing Institute was an American independent boys' college-preparatory school located in Flushing, New York.

In 1826, Rev. Dr. William Augustus Muhlenberg moved to Flushing, New York, and founded an all-boys school while serving as rector of St. George's Church.

Muhlenberg's initial proposal included the name The Christian Institute for the school, but stockholders submitted a bill naming it The Christian Institute of Flushing. Worried that the term "Christian" might hinder the bill's passage, officials changed the name to Flushing Institute with Rev. Mr. Muhlenberg's approval before presenting it to the New York State Legislature. In 1827, the institution was formally incorporated under the leadership of Rev. W. A. Muhlenberg as school principal.

On August 11, 1827, the cornerstone of the school was laid. Located in Flushing, New York, the institute was housed in a large 1828 Greek Revival building, east of Main Street and north of the New York, Flushing, and Northside Railroad.

By spring 1828, the institute was ready and opened its doors to pupils. Following the classical curriculum of the time, the Flushing Institute taught boys mathematics, natural history and philosophy (including English), Latin and Greek, or, for future merchants, French and Spanish instead.

Muhlenberg ran the Episcopal school like a large Christian family under a strictly paternalistic model. Though independent of the Diocese and Bishop, it soon became a leading example of Christian-based boys' education. The Flushing Institute adopted its core educational and moral principles from Philipp Emanuel von Fellenberg's respected institution in Bern, Switzerland. Bishop Levi Silliman Ives visited the Flushing Institute to study its methods for the Episcopal School in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The daily routine began at 5:50 a.m. with the waking bell, followed by roll call, chapel prayers, and breakfast. Mornings were spent on study and recitations, while the five afternoon hours alternated between recreation, study, and recitation. Evenings were reserved for reading and relaxation, with the day ending in chapel at 9:00 p.m. On Saturdays, the boys were free to amuse themselves in the afternoon. Sundays were devoted to religious activities, beginning at 6:00 a.m. with roll call, chapel, and breakfast. The morning continued with Scripture lessons and a question session in chapel, followed by Bible memorization and a 10:30 a.m. service and sermon. After lunch, the boys prepared sermon responses, recited Scripture at 2:00 p.m., and returned to chapel at 3:30 p.m. From 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., religious meetings were held in the chapel or instructors' rooms, with the day ending in prayer at 9:00 p.m.

The ringing of the school bell, housed in the cupola of the Institute at Main and Amity streets, called members to prayer and the dining room. The Flushing Institute's school bell was placed on exhibit at the Queens Museum in 1976.