Dreaming of owning a piece of American history? Underpenny Museum Antique & Collectables is your place. It is more than just an antique store. It is a portal into the past.
Sung Park, the owner, had a dream. He wanted to share his passion for mid-19th-century American artifacts. For over fifteen years, he searched for treasures. His quest spanned New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. He envisioned a museum-shop.
Underpenny is nestled beneath a tenement house in Long Island City. It is located at 10-13 50th Avenue. The space is small but filled with wonders. One side is a museum. Hundreds of cast-iron objects line the wall behind the counter. You will see ornate penny banks and cast iron trivets. Bells, bookends, wood planes, and horse-and-carriage toys fill the shelves. These items are for viewing only. Resist the urge to touch.
The other side of Underpenny is a shop. Here, commerce wins. You can start your own collection. A pocket-size checkers board costs just $10. A cash register from the 1940s is available for $275. Underpenny has an extensive collection. Cast iron, lamps, and furniture abound. Crystal, coin banks, and planes are also available. Sung Park constantly improves his collection.
Local artists and designers visit Underpenny. They find inspiration in the graphic designs of the past. Sung Park wants Underpenny to become a famous museum in New York City. He wants people to hold on to things from Medieval American history and Long Island City history.
Underpenny keeps American history alive. It is a place where old is gold. Come explore the treasures. Discover the beauty of American antiques. Let Underpenny transport you to another time. The Underpenny Museum Antique & Collectables is open Mondays to Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.