Historic Richmond Town,
La Tourette Park
441 Clarke Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10306
Historic Richmond Town, in the heart of Staten Island, is a remarkable living history village and museum complex that encompasses three hundred years of the history and culture of New York City. The Town of Richmond, which began as a modest hamlet in the 1690's, became Staten Island's county seat of government in 1728. The village weathered the turbulence of British occupation during the Revolutionary War and saw expansion in the 19th century. After Staten Island was incorporated into the City of New York in 1898, its government offices were moved to the town of St. George, and Richmond gradually became a quiet residential area. In 1935, the Staten Island Historical Society first opened New York City's only historic village. The Society acquired the 1848 County Clerk's office and established the Historical Museum. In 1939, the Society acquired and restored the Voorlezer's House (c. 1695), the nation's oldest building that served as a schoolhouse. Today, Richmond Town's 100 acres include 28 historic buildings dating from the late 17th to the early 20th centuries, half of which stand on their original locations. From the stately Greek Revival style of the 1837 Third County Courthouse to a one room general store, they exemplify a variety of architectural styles. |
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During the spring and summer months,
the "open village" comes alive and visitors
observe the daily trades and customs of old Richmond
Town. Dressed in period clothing, the interpreters
in the historic houses and buildings perform carpentry,
spinning and weaving, quilting, cooking, basket weaving,
tinsmithing and printing on a rare Stansbury press.
The exhibits of the Society's Historical Museum present
the history of the borough of Richmond with folk art,
costumes, textiles, toys and other artifacts. The
Bennett House displays antique dolls, toys, and children's
furniture.
The variety of interpretive programs and special events offered reflect the 300 years of local history; for example, holiday celebrations incorporate activities and festivities (food, drink, games) typical of the 19th century. Old Home Day features crafts people producing traditional products, such as wooden spoons, woven fabrics, spun wool and hearth baked breads. The Richmond County Fair combines family fun and rural traditions.
Historic Richmond Town is a joint project of the Staten Island Historical Society, a not for profit cultural organization, and the City of New York, which owns the park land and buildings, and supports part of its operations with public funds provided through the Department of Cultural Affairs. With its farmhouses, trade shops and county courthouse, Historic Richmond Town makes an early American community come alive. In a city known for its skyscrapers, it preserves a human scaled past for future generations.