Historic Richmond Town is a Dutch
settlement originating in the 17th century
on Staten Island before the borough was
incorporated into New York City proper.
The site houses buildings dating from
the late 1600s through the early 1900s.
This train car was built as a set piece
for the HBO show Boardwalk Empire
and left on site when filming was finished.
This large oil painting of Jenny De Hart
of Mariner's Harbor (circa 1860)
hangs on site in the historical museum.
This 19th century train station was
moved to the village site from a mile away.
It is now used for storage and no
longer open to the public however it cuts
an impressive form among other buildings.
The Guyon-Lake-Tyson House
from 1740 is one of the more opulent
homes in the village and contains two
parlors (one informal, one formal) as well
as several finely appointed bedrooms.
The general store contains
many examples of the goods and
services available to townsfolk through
the latter part of the history of the village.
The Historical Society Museum
houses several exhibits, both permanent
and temporary. Currently on display are
toys dating back from early Colonial times
through the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.
These late 19th century Punch & Judy
puppet figures have facial dents, having
been used to act out combative narratives.
Carousel horses and statues from local
attractions, such as amusement parks
and hotels are on display (chips and all).
Some buildings are open to the public
to be explored at will and others are only
open at specific times for guided tours or
live cooking, woodworking, blacksmithing
or printing demonstrations: All worth seeing.
More views from inside the
Historical Society Museum...
The Voorlezer House (1695) is the
Northeast's oldest one room school house
that still stands in its original spot. It was a
school, a meeting house, a religious meeting
house, a restaurant, a private home and a hotel.
The Boehm House (1750)
is an interesting space for its
raw walls, giving the visitor an
understanding of building and
insulation techniques of the period...
Exteriors often prove as intriguing
as interiors and hold their own clues
as to how people lived in prior centuries.
All in all, this was a great visit.
I will definitely be returning soon.
