Mission Statement

It is the mission of the Staten Island Museum to document, research, preserve, collect, interpret and exhibit significant objects and themes in the areas of natural science, art and local history, with the goal of educating, celebrating and enriching the community of Staten Island in particular, and the New York Metropolitan region in general. (Board approved January 24, 2006).

History

Founded in 1881, we continue our founders' vision by focusing our efforts on educational programming and exhibitions where display objects are both physically and intellectually accessible. As New York City's only actively collecting general interest museum, we exhibit, interpret and preserve over a million natural science specimens, artworks, historical objects, archival documents, photographs, and books for current and future generations.

Enriching the cultural lives of people in our community is the primary purpose of the Museum. Originally founded in 1881 as the Natural Science Association of Staten Island, the Staten Island Museum was established by four individuals who started collecting natural science specimens to keep a record for future generations out of a concern that "the rapid growth of the community obliterated many of our most interesting natural objects." We continue our founders' vision by focusing our efforts on educational programming and exhibitions where display objects are both physically and intellectually accessible.

As New York City's only actively collecting general interest museum, we exhibit, interpret and preserve over a million natural science specimens, artworks, historical objects, archival documents, photographs, and books for current and future generations.

As the oldest cultural organization on Staten Island, the Museum has been instrumental in the founding of many other cultural organizations on Staten Island. These include the New York Botanical Garden (our co-founder Nathaniel Lord Britton became its first director), the Staten Island Zoo (originally the Staten Island Zoological Society, a Section of the Museum in 1933), the Staten Island Historical Society (running Historic Richmond Town), and the Staten Island Children's Museum. The Museum also greatly impacted Staten Island's environment, contributing to the preservation of the Greenbelt and establishment of other environmental organizations.

The founders' environmental activism first lead them to initiate a Bird Sanctuary at what is now the William T. Davis Wildlife Refuge (named after a co-founder). Also, many specimens from the Museum's permanent natural sciences collection are on display at the newly minted NYC Parks Department Greenbelt Nature Center.

Additionally, the Snug Harbor Cultural Center campus and its 19th Greek Revival historically landmarked buildings would probably not exist today if the Museum's trustees and members had not been involved to save it from demolition in the 1960s.

Today, the Staten Island Museum is presenting exhibitions at the College of Staten Island and other public space, has permanent and changing exhibitions at its St. George site (75 Stuyvesant Place, two blocks from the Ferry Terminal), and, in the Spring of 2008, will open Staten Island's first Art Conservation Center  at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center campus (1000 Richmond Terrace), where it is in the process of renovating two of the "front five", the historic landmark Greek-Revival buildings to add exhibition and programming space.

Future Projects

In 2007, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg allocated $10 million to the reconstruction of the interior of Building A on top of the $3,510,000 from earlier years. Councilman Michael E. McMahon  secured $2,413,000 and Borough President James P. Molinaro $780,000. The project is currently in the Design Development Phase with Gluckman Mayner Architects and is under the management of both the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) and the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC).  Groundbreaking is planned for late 2008 with the formal opening of the Art Museum scheduled to follow two years later. In addition to art galleries for changing exhibitions and permanent collection display, the new building will house an auditorium for education programs and performances, a community gallery to be shared with the Art Lab and others.

The entire process was jumpstarted in 2003 with a privately financed Master Plan, funded by The New York Community Trust, Richmond County Savings Foundation, The Staten Island Advance (through The Samuel I. Newhouse Foundation) and The Staten Island Foundation. Speaking at the Museum’s 125^th Anniversary Gala in November 2006, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said:  “The City was delighted to contribute … to the renovation of the [Staten Island Museum’s] buildings at Snug Harbor. I think Snug Harbor is one of the great treasures of the City. We have got to make sure that when people come from all over the world to New York City, they see this [site].” With the opening of the Art Museum at Snug Harbor, there will be a new synergy on the site, and the Staten Island Museum’s presence will play a major role in helping the campus to become a regional attraction.

While the Staten Island Museum will be renovating Building A, it will have a physical presence on the site starting in the Spring of 2008.  A $100,000 grant from the Deutsche Bank will enable the Museum to open Staten Island’s first Art Conservation Center.  The Center will be housed in the connecting structure between Building B and Building H, and is currently being renovated through a $100,000 grant secured from the NY State Assembly (the late John Lavelle) and will contain collection storage furniture funded with $50,000 from the NY State Senate (John Marchi). In addition, Charles von Nostitz Painting Conservation Studio donated $46,000 in conservation equipment.