Alice Austen House | Staten Island

The Alice Austen House is a historic house museum located in Staten Island, New York City. It preserves the home and legacy of one of America's earliest female photographers.

Visual Characteristics

The house is a Dutch Colonial Revival structure constructed primarily of fieldstone and wood. It features a gambrel roof, white-painted clapboard siding, and dark-trimmed windows. The building stands two stories high with an attached shed-roofed wing. The exterior color palette is predominantly white and grey stone, with dark green shutters.

Location & Access Logistics

The Alice Austen House is situated at 2 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10305. It is approximately 10 miles south of the Staten Island Ferry Terminal. Access by car involves taking the Staten Island Expressway to Exit 13 (Richmond Avenue), then proceeding south on Richmond Avenue, turning left onto Hylan Boulevard. Parking is available on-site. Public transport options include the S51 bus route, which stops within a 0.2km walk of the house.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The original portion of the house dates to the 17th century, with significant additions and renovations occurring in the 18th and 19th centuries. It was the home of Alice Austen from 1869 until 1945. The property is situated on the western shore of The Narrows, a strait of the Upper New York Bay, offering views of the water.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can tour the restored rooms of the house, which are furnished to reflect the period of Alice Austen's residency. The museum exhibits a selection of Austen's photographic work, documenting life in Staten Island and New York City in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The grounds offer walking paths along the waterfront.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Restrooms are available within the museum building. Limited shade is provided by trees on the property. Cell phone signal (4G/5G) is generally available. No on-site food vendors are present, but dining options are available in nearby commercial areas.

Best Time to Visit

The best time of day for photography of the house's exterior is late afternoon, when the western light illuminates the facade. The museum is open year-round, with spring and fall offering mild weather for exploring the grounds. Tidal conditions do not impact access to the house.

Facts & Legends

Alice Austen was a pioneer in documentary photography, capturing candid images of everyday life, social events, and diverse populations at a time when photography was largely a male-dominated field. A specific tip for visitors is to look for the original stone foundation visible in the basement, indicating the house's earliest construction phase.

Nearby Landmarks

• Fort Wadsworth (1.5km North)
• Staten Island Greenbelt Nature Center (3.2km West)
• Historic Richmond Town (4.1km Southwest)
• Ferry Terminal (16km Northwest)