What is Historic Richmond Town?

HISTORIC RICHMOND TOWN IS A 501(C)3 EDUCATIONAL NON-PROFIT
ALSO KNOWN AS THE STATEN ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

OUR MISSION

Historic Richmond Town interprets and restores a living history village, operates a historical museum, and collects and preserves material culture to inspire engagement with and understanding of the diverse histories of Staten Island.

**LIVING HISTORY |** We provide an array of creative and interpretive programs and workshops designed to immerse the public in centuries of local history.

**EDUCATION |** Visitors get a hands-on experience through our school programs, Open Village experience, guided tours, and a rich array of public programs.

**COLLECTION |** We are home to more than 100,000 artifacts, photographs, and archival collections from different time periods; a wide variety of which is on display in the Historical Museum

**NATURE |** We are dedicated to protecting the natural environment for the public to enjoy year round, including caring for and playing host to a wide variety of native plants and animals.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, ACCESS AND INCLUSION

We are committed to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion in all our activities. We believe building an inclusive and equitable environment is an ongoing, active process that requires constant and deliberate attention. We strive to build truly accessible spaces, a culture of diversity of voice and representation, and equity for all.

ORGANIZATION HISTORY

Historic Richmond Town was founded as the Staten Island Historical Society in 1856. The institution still uses both names but is more popularly known as Historic Richmond Town. The museum's focus is to create opportunities for the public to explore the diversity of the American experience from the colonial period to the present.

It's a remarkable living history town and museum complex.

Historic Richmond Town relies on the history of Staten Island and its neighboring New York area communities to show how ordinary people of every background worked together for centuries to build an extraordinary country.

In the mid-20th century, the Society, with the help of founder Loring McMillen, embarked on an ambitious project to collect, preserve and interpret the material culture of our region. The result is that Historic Richmond Town has become a remarkable living history town and museum complex that evokes 350 years of history and culture. That complex includes NYC's oldest continuously working family farm and two other historic sites - including one of the oldest original houses in the country. There is no other place like it in New York City. Over 100,000 people visit the site each year to enjoy tours, education programs, museum exhibits and special events.

As Staten Island's largest and oldest cultural institution, Historic Richmond Town possesses some of the most celebrated and storied historical items of American history. There are more than 100,000 artifacts, photographs, and archival collections from different time periods. The total number of individual objects or bits and pieces of history in our care is close to a million! Surrounding and containing our collections are original historic structures dating back as far as the 1660s.

There is no other place like it in NYC.

Our structures provide an authentic platform to share the stories of individuals like us - ordinary people who've built an extraordinary country.

The town of Richmond has been here since the 17th century. The Staten Island Historical Society came to its rescue and preserved the town as it was during a period of rapid growth and change in the 20th century. Today, Historic Richmond Town tells the stories of American Life in many places. Visitors can find us in person at one of our four physical sites. They can come to programs, events, and concerts or to research their family tree. They can also experience our collections online through our database or in videos.

The museum also plays an active role in promoting and assisting research beyond the borders of New York and has supported numerous publications, exhibitions, documentaries and other humanities projects both within and outside the United States. Historic Richmond Town continues to engage the public in a wide variety of ways.

**COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT |** We host three major fundraising events a year, each designed to connect with the community and enrich the ongoing telling of new and diverse histories of today’s visitors.

**PRESERVATION & RESTORATION** | We strive to re-create spaces that are both true to history and promote diversity, representation, and equity for all.

**THE NATIVE ENCAMPMENT |** Constructed out of natural materials from the Historic Richmond Town campus and the FreshKills Park, the site features a wigwam and several other structures that depict the life of Native people in Staten Island during post-European contact.

**HISTORIC STRUCTURES |** The historic houses and structures on site date back as far as the 1660s and not only provide the perfect backdrop to host our unique programming, but also serve as an authentic platform to share the diverse histories of the individuals who lived and worked the

Historic Richmond Town's programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

Historic Richmond Town Staff & Board of Directors

Jessica B. Phillips
Chief Executive Officer

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS

CEO of Historic Richmond Town - Jessica B. Phillips
Borough President - Vito Fossella
Mayor of New York City - Eric Adams
Dept. of Cultural Affairs - Laurie Cumbo, Commissioner
Dept. of Parks & Recreation, Historic House Trust -
Meredith Horsford, Executive Director
Dept. of Parks & Recreation - Lynda Ricciardone, Borough Commissioner
Dept. of Parks & Recreation Designee - Joseph A. Ferlazzo
Women’s Auxiliary President - Caroline Esposito

HISTORIC RICHMOND TOWN'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Laura Gentile - President
Zenia Ruby Conti, Psy. D. - Vice President
Mario Crescenzo, Jr. - Treasurer
Michael Molinaro - Assistant Treasurer
Elizabeth Greene - Secretary
Thomas Murphy
Steve R. Cisternas, D.D.S.
Biju Koshy, Esq.
Jerome Goldman
Sharifa Hampton
Kathryn Baxter
Jacqueline Masseo