Family Outing: Historic Richmond Town

Historic Richmond Town, a living history village on Staten Island, invites kids and families to experience the wonders of the old world. See costumed interpreters demonstrate old-fashioned trades, go on guided tours through hundreds of years of history, experience a colonial County Fair, take candle light tours at Christmas, and much more at this NYC historic site.

Watch time unfold as you stroll through Historic Richmond Town on Staten Island, where colonial life has been preserved. Resting on almost 50 acres, the site includes original colonial homes, commercial and civic buildings, and a museum that visitors can explore while learning about the daily lives of ordinary people of the past. Guided tours and demonstrations on old-fashioned trades and activities add to the experience, allowing visitors to recreate and interact with local history.

The County Fair on Labor Day weekend includes traditional demonstrations by master craftsmen like this cooper, as well as food, music, exhibits, magic and specialty acts, and amusement rides. 

Year-Round Features

Start your journey at the museum, which hosts a rotating display of exhibits that highlight the historical importance of the area. Then embark on a group guided tour through 27 original buildings, including the oldest known schoolhouse in America, Voorlezer's House, a National Historic Landmark that dates back to 1695. View the furnished interiors and watch as many costumed demonstrators -- including blacksmiths, tinsmiths, basket makers, and cooks -- engage in daily activities of the period.

Decker Farm, open Wednesday and Saturday, is located 1.5 miles from the village and is the oldest continuously operated farm in New York. Visitors can take a self-guided tour and enjoy the organic, seasonal produce sold at the farm stand.