Sailors' Snug Harbor

New York, United States

Sailors' Snug Harbor is a collection of architecturally significant 19th-century buildings on Staten Island. The Harbor was founded as a retirement home for sailors after Captain Robert Richard Randall bequeathed funds for that purpose upon his 1801 death. Snug Harbor opened in 1833 as a sailors' retirement home located within what is now Building C, and additional structures were built on the grounds in later years. The buildings became a cultural center after the sailors' home moved away in 1976. The grounds and buildings are operated by Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, a nonprofit, Smithsonian-affiliated organization.

Sailors' Snug Harbor includes 26 Greek Revival, Beaux Arts, Italianate and Victorian style buildings. Among those are 'Temple Row', five interlocking Greek Revival buildings labeled A through E. The buildings are set in extensive, landscaped grounds, surrounded by the 19th-century cast-iron fence. The grounds also include a chapel and a sailors' cemetery. The cultural center includes the Staten Island Botanical Garden, the Staten Island Children's Museum, the Staten Island Museum, the Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art, and the Noble Maritime Collection, as well as the Art Lab and the Music Hall.

The site is considered Staten Island's 'crown jewel' and 'an incomparable remnant of New York's 19th-century seafaring past.'

Comments

Your name



Details

Founded: 1833
Category: Miscellaneous historic sites in United States

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Angelique Velez (10 months ago)
This is a magical place for children so interactive and my kids loved it and had a great time.
Sibel Alev (11 months ago)
Beautiful surroundings to visit 4 seasons ! Serenity , nature , great walks ….. when visiting Staten Island must stop by Snug Harbor !
Kristina Miller (12 months ago)
Really beautiful place. Needs some TLC but for the price it's amazing. A lovely place to visit and typically not too crowded. I wish there were more historical information boards around to find out more about the place or possibly tours. My son loved all the little 'hidden' areas they had
Joohee Shin (15 months ago)
It is a good course to take a walk with family and friends. A garden with a Chinese feel has to pay $5 for admission. You can enjoy a different walk.
Luba K (17 months ago)
Multiple times visited this park on the weekends. It’s a free for public, has a clean and accessible bathrooms, a secret spots for meditation, incredible atmospheric views. There are multicultural and historical Museums, rental facilities for parties, romantic overlooks, bird watching, exploring plants at a local garden. There’s an ice cream shop and a cafe for snacks and drinks. Highly recommend for a weekend getaway and/ or special event.
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Vufflens Castle

Vufflens castle was built in 1425 on the site of a previous medieval castle by Henri de Colombier. It is the most significant example of a small group of fortified Romandy castles from the middle ages, characterised above all by its brick construction. In 1530, it was set on fire by Bernese troops. In 1641 it was acquired by the de Senarclens family. The castle is currently privately owned and cannot be visited.

A pleasant 30 minute-walk through the vineyards between Vufflens-le-Château and Denens, offers a stunning view of this magnificent castle, the lake and the Mont-Blanc.