Found 49 blog entries tagged as history.

This house was built in between the years of 1880 and 1882 in Second Empire style for August and Augusta Schoverling. This house is located in St George, Staten Island. House owner August Schoverling had immigrated from Germany to New York in the year 1859. Schoverling was an importer and distributor of firearms. The August and Agusta Schoverling house is located at Westervelt Avenue and Benzinger Avenue. After August and Augusta passed away the second owner of the house was Judge Morgan L. Ryan. Ryan was born Upstate New York in the year 1867.In 1907, he was appointed a judge of the Court of Special Sessions of the City of New York. Judge Ryan retired in January 1924. Judge Ryan became President of Richmond County Society For the Prevention of Cruelty to…

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This mansion was built in 1850s for Stephen D. Barnes, a prominent oysterman, his wife, Judith Van Pelt, as well as their children. During this time, it was typical of people to have homes built in the Greek Revival style, however, the Barnes' home broke standards, reminiscing the style of the Italian Renaissance. The home, which is located at 2876 Richmond Terrace, architecturally includes a dramatic rooftop cupola, wide eaves, small iron balconies, brownstone rope moldings, and Gothic finials. There was said to be an old well in the backyard, that contained many relics such as an old moonshine jug, a statue of an unpleasant looking woman, pieces of a china doll, a broken hearth tile, dish sets, and more.

In 1889, Stephen D. Barnes died in the house…

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The original owner was a German immigrant named Balthasar Kreischer. Kreischer ran a very successful brick manufacturing company, with his wealth and success he built this beautiful mansion as well as another mansion further down for his two sons to live in. The Kreischer house was built on what we now know as Arthur Kill Road(4500 Arthur Kill Road). Yup, it's that house on the hill that always gives us the chills when we pass by it. It was built in the mid 1800s so naturally it has a Victorian vibe to it, this home has an amazing seven bedrooms three baths and many other multi-purpose rooms! Many native Staten Islanders would tell you that this particular house was haunted...unfortunately it's a huge possibility. Balthasar died just a year after the…

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Located at the center of Staten Island, Historic Richmond Town is a collection of 28 landmarked original settlements of European immigrants who moved there pre, during, and after the American Revolution War. Located on 441 Clarke Avenue, you can visit the outdoor museum of Historic Richmond Town and learn about the histories of the original settlements, or just simply partake in the seasonal activities it offers

History

Richmond Town was originally known for being the center of business and government on Staten Island in the 1700s. The island was booming with business, bustling with blacksmiths and packed with politics. However as Staten Island became more widely known, and a New York City borough in 1898, the town was already nearing gradual…

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About The Conference House

The Conference House (formerly known at the Billopp House) is a two-story, rubble stone masonry building constructed circa 1680 by Christopher Billopp. Originally rectangular in plan,  the house was extended in the 18th century with the addition of a one-and-a-half story kitchen wing.

The Conference House is named in honor and commemoration of the famous peace conference of 1776.  On September 11, 1776, Continental Congress representatives John Adams, Edward Rutledge, and Benjamin Franklin met with the King’s representative, Lord Richard Howe, at Colonel Christopher Billopp’s home on Staten Island.  The British would not consider independence a negotiable term and the congressional representatives had been authorized only…

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Members of VVA Thomas J. Tori Chapter 421 at Memorial Park located in Castleton Corners.

In January 1973 a peace agreement was signed ending the direct U.S. military involvement in the Vietnam War. The last American troops were withdrawn on March 29 that same year, but the battle did not end then. On April 30, 1975, the last few Americans still in South Vietnam were airlifted out of the country.

To memorialize those who were lost, the Memorial Park was opened in Castleton Corners in May 1988, as a part of the New York State Armory.

Gene DiGiacomo, President of Vietnam Veterans Chapter 421, has said, "We were worried about what was going to happen to it when we were gone." 

This past year, the park has had some massive changes and reopened June…

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50 years ago today, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge became the first pathway from Staten Island to Brooklyn and visa versa.

"When the Verrazano opened to traffic on November 21, 1964, it was the longest cable suspension bridge in the world, edging out its West Coast rival, the Golden Gate Bridge, by a mere 60 feet. Today it remains the longest in the United States, spanning 9,865 feet. The Verrazano remains the major commuting artery connecting Staten Island to the rest of New York City, carrying nearly 200,000 drivers each day." (x)

Embrace the Culture

Historic Richmond Town will be hosting the exhibit, "Spanning the Narrows for Five Decade." The exhibit has been open since mid-August at the Staten Island Historical Society and will continue to run…

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Westerleigh is one of the most desirable neighborhoods on Staten Island. It features lavish colonial and ranch homes, but some may not know the grand victorian house on the corner of Wardwell and Waters Avenue.

273 Wardwell Avenue was built back in the late 1800's although public records say 1905, the house was originally occupied by a Dr. Green who practiced in the house. Since Dr. Green, the Queen Anne Victorian house had been sold throughout the years and homed many families.

The architecture is beyond unique, no house in the area resembles any similarities:

Cedar shingles cut in different patterns - as a signature from the original architect - and clap board siding. This creates a complex texture to the exterior.

The interior and…

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St. Vincent Catholic Medical Centers, West Brighton

Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers was founded and directed by the Sisters of Charity of New York from 1903 to 1999. The hospital built its foundation from St. Vincent's Hospital Manhattan; it operated as a 74-bed facility, as well as a soup kitchen. A New York Times article, that was published when St. Vincent's Hospital Manhattan first opened, said what distinguishes the hospital from others in the city is its care for those who were unable to meet fees.

The hospital in West Brighton originally opened to tend to tuberculosis patients and later became a Level 1 Trauma Center. St. Vincent's Hospital was renowned for its care of women and children, delivering over 3,000 babies each year. (x)

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In late March of 1886, the Richmond County Advance was first published.

Almost 30 years later,  John J. Crawford, a printer, and James C. Kennedy, a businessman, put their minds together and created the four-page weekly paper. This became the forerunner to the Staten Island Advance. There were nine newspapers on the Island at the time, but the Advance surpassed all others. The paper wanted to provide "a live, independent, local newspapers, devoted to the interests of Staten Island."

Its name changed to Daily Advance before it became known as the Staten Island Advance.

National Prohibition Park. Courtesy of Library of Congress

July 1888, Prohibition Park in Westerleigh became a model community for temperance supporters.

In…

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