Remembering George Seuffert Sr. and his contributions to Forest Park on his 150th birthday: Our Neighborhood, The Way It Was

Sep. 6, 2025 By Woodhaven Cultural and Historical Society

Aug. 22 marked the 150th birthday of Mr. George Seuffert Sr., the man whose name graces the bandshell in Forest Park. For generations of families in Woodhaven and the surrounding neighborhoods, the name “Seuffert” is synonymous with summer afternoons filled with music.

George Seuffert (pronounced SOY-fert) was born in Brooklyn on Aug. 22, 1875. From a young age, it was clear that music would be his life’s calling. He studied violin under the guidance of Joseph Zoellner, founder of the famed Zoellner Quartet, and then taught himself other instruments with a determination that foreshadowed his later accomplishments.

By 1897, Seuffert had gathered a group of 15 skilled musicians and officially formed his own band, with himself as co