Forest Hills mural celebrates famous former resident Helen Keller

QEDC Deputy Director Ricardi Calixte, QEDC Executive Director Seth Bornstein, Rego-Forest Preservation Council Chairperson Michael Perlman, and his mother, Linda Perlman in front of the mural. Photo courtesy of QEDC

By Victoria Merlino

A new Forest Hills mural honors one of the neighborhood’s most famous former residents: Helen Keller. 

The 48-foot wide mural, located on the west wall of the LIRR’s Ascan Avenue overpass, features images from Keller’s life and one of her most famous quotes: “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.”

From 1917 to 1938, Keller lived in a Forest Hills house that eventually burned down after her death. Currently The Reform Temple of Forest Hills sits on the land where the house once stood. Both deaf and blind, Keller became a world-renowned activist for people with disabilities after learning Braille and lip reading. 

Rego-Forest Preservation Council Chairperson Michael Perlman spearheaded the effort to raise the mural, gathering $6,500 in funding from City Councilmember Karen Koslowitz, the Queens Economic Development Corporation and local retailers.