Join us at King Manor Museum’s Annual Cocktail Party Fundraiser, an evening of history, celebration, and community spirit! Raise a glass to support the museum and celebrate Constitution Day!

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 artist talks.

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 honorees are Deputy Speaker Dr. Nantasha Williams, Edjo Wheeler, Founder/Executive Director of Culture Lab LIC; Jason Antos, Borough Historian!

Deputy Speaker Dr. Nantasha Williams is the representative for Council District 27, a community leader and social justice advocate committed to affecting real change in her community. Raised by a single mother who worked as a New York City social worker, she learned early the importance of public service and advocacy for vulnerable communities. A nationally recognized political strategist even before her election, she founded the New York City Black Women’s Political Club in 2019 to build political power for Black women, lead organizing efforts for the Women’s March on Washington, and worked on criminal justice reform and gun violence prevention. As Chair of the Committee on Civil and Human Rights, Dr. Williams has championed salary transparency and anti-racism legislation. She was also the prime sponsor of the Cultural Passport bill, creating a citywide program to encourage New Yorkers to visit cultural, historic, and community sites across all five boroughs. Dr. Williams has been able to create a grassroots vision for the future of the Downtown Jamaica and Hollis area that includes more affordable housing and investments to improve the quality of life. She has secured significant investments in parks, libraries, and community resources throughout her district.

Dr. Williams holds a PhD in Social Welfare from the CUNY Graduate Center, an MPA from Rockefeller College, and a BA from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Edjo Wheeler is a visionary arts leader, curator, and producer dedicated to building vibrant, sustainable ecosystems where art and community intersect. As the Founder and Executive Director of Culture Lab LIC, Edjo has transformed the Queens cultural landscape, overseeing one of the borough’s largest independent arts institutions. His leadership is defined by an unwavering commitment to accessibility; perhaps most notably, he transformed an empty parking lot into a bustling outdoor cultural hub during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring the arts remained a vital, beating heart of the city when it was needed most.

Edjo’s career is as multidisciplinary as the institutions he builds. A former martial arts champion and stunt coordinator, his background in high-stakes live performance informs his approach to curating immersive, large-scale public art and theater. With a portfolio spanning over 100 films, television shows, and stage productions—and an extensive history as an educator at institutions like NYU Tisch—Edjo brings a rare, "boots-on-the-ground" expertise to arts administration. From managing multi-million dollar capital projects to launching residency programs that support hundreds of artists annually, Edjo Wheeler continues to champion the belief that when you provide artists with the space and resources to thrive, you create a more connected and resilient community.

Jason D. Antos is a lifelong Queens resident who has lived in Whitestone for more than four decades. His mother Wendy is from Brooklyn and his late father Spyros was an immigrant from Greece who came to America in the 1960s. His maternal great-grandparents came to New York City from Russia in 1912 and lived in Manhattan's Lower East Side. His grandparents were born there in 1913 near the corner of Broome and Allen Streets. In 2006, Jason received an MFA in Communications from the University of Miami. For 11 years, he worked as a reporter for the Queens Gazette in Astoria and was a member of the New York Press Corps. He also worked a few years as a Community Liaison for the NY State Assembly. He currently serves as Executive Director of the Queens Historical Society at Kingsland Homestead, a role he has held since 2021. He is the author of eight books on the history of Queens including the first historical work ever published about Shea Stadium in 2007 and his recent book, Images of America: Woodside-Sunnyside was released this past July. Jason has chronicled and helped preserve Queens history since high school. In September of 2025, he was appointed as the Official Queens Borough Historian by Queens Borough President Donovan Richards.

What to Expect During the Evening

Enjoy an open bar serving wine, beer, and soft drinks throughout the evening. Brewstoria will debut two 18th-century-style beers brewed exclusively for Constitution & Cocktails, while Neir’s Tavern will serve a signature cocktail created for the evening. Gourmet catering by Bella Lulu’s will be available throughout the event, with vegan and halal options.

Vibe to live music from local cover band Cherry and the Gunnz, bid on great prizes in our silent auction, and spin the wheel for King Manor swag. Meet a dozen artists and curators on site and hear directly from them about their work and the exhibitions currently on view.

And don’t miss a special moment in King Manor history: witness the presentation of a rare Rufus King artifact as it returns home to King Manor.

Parking & Transit

Limited on-site parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Accessible parking spaces may be reserved in advance for guests with disabilities; please contact the museum ahead of the event to make arrangements. Additional parking is available at the inexpensive parking garage directly across the street by the Archer Avenue bus depot. Staff will be pleased to accompany anyone needing assistance to their vehicle.

King Manor is easily accessible by public transit, including the E, J, and F trains, LIRR, and numerous bus lines.

Attire

Cocktail attire encouraged, but not required. Come ready to celebrate!

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!

Thank you to our sponsors:

Brewstoria

BQE Media

First Central Savings Bank

Greater Jamaica Development Corporation

Jet Blue

Neir's Tavern

Peter Philips

Ponce Bank

Queens Chamber of Commerce

Rojas AP

Telltale Tours

Zara Realty

Constitution & Cocktails

Raise a glass and support King Manor's Education Programs!

Team Members