THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Experience Staten Island’s vibrant heritage at Old Home Day in Historic Richmond Town. Discover traditional trades, live historical music, and cultural festivities celebrating the island’s rich past.
Experience Staten Island’s vibrant heritage at Old Home Day in Historic Richmond Town. Discover traditional trades, live historical music, and cultural festivities celebrating the island’s rich past.
Book with Historic Richmond Town
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Historic Richmond Town · Staten Island, New York
Historic Richmond Town in Staten Island, New York, offers an immersive step back in time with its annual Old Home Day celebration on October 19. This unique event draws visitors into a lively cultural festival that brings to life the everyday experiences of Staten Island’s past residents through traditional trade demonstrations, historical reenactments, and vibrant community activities. The site itself is a complex of preserved 17th- to 19th-century buildings that showcase the island’s rural roots and its evolution over centuries, creating an authentic backdrop that educates and entertains.
Old Home Day stands out as a rare opportunity to engage with local history in a vivid, hands-on way. Visitors witness skilled craftsmen demonstrating period trades, such as blacksmithing and coopering, providing insight into the work that sustained island families long before modern conveniences. The Native Encampment recreates the rich heritage of Staten Island’s indigenous Lenape people, delivering compelling interpretive talks and a genuine sense of connection to the land’s original inhabitants.
A highlight is the chance to sample fresh-pressed apple cider and hot soup, staples of an October harvest festival, which embody the season’s flavors and the community spirit that continues to define Staten Island. Live historical music sets the tone throughout the day, weaving together folk melodies that once filled these same streets and fields. This event is a free, family-friendly celebration that invites locals and travelers to step away from the urban landscape and into a place where history becomes tangible.
Historic Richmond Town’s integration into Staten Island’s outdoor recreation and cultural offerings makes it a standout destination. Beyond the festival, the site’s trails and gardens provide quiet exploration areas that complement visits with moments of natural beauty. Families and history enthusiasts alike find it a perfect combo of education, entertainment, and outdoor leisure.
Whether you’re interested in early American trades, indigenous culture, or simply want to experience a heartfelt community event that celebrates Staten Island’s diverse heritage, Old Home Day at Historic Richmond Town provides an engaging, authentic experience. It is an essential stop for visitors seeking a genuine connection to New York City’s lesser-known history and a meaningful outdoor cultural outing.
easy.
2–4 hours.
No special fitness required; suitable for all ages and mobility levels
No, Old Home Day is free and open to the public.
Yes, fresh apple cider and warm soup are offered as part of the celebration.
Absolutely, the event includes family-friendly activities and interactive demonstrations.
Yes, many buildings are open to visitors with interpreters sharing their stories.
Yes, there is onsite parking available, but spaces can fill up quickly on event days.
Pets are not allowed on event grounds to preserve the site and ensure safety for all guests.
Historic Richmond Town preserves buildings dating back to the late 1600s, showcasing Staten Island’s colonial and indigenous past.
The site is committed to sustainable practices, including waste reduction and natural landscape preservation, to protect its historic environment for future visitors.
Historic Richmond Town preserves and interprets the social and material history of Staten Island through a living museum village, museum exhibitions, public programs, and seasonal events. The site maintains restored 18th- and 19th-century buildings, costumed interpreters, and working period trades that illustrate domestic life, agriculture, and commerce across centuries. Visitors can explore the Open Village, the Historical Museum galleries, and specialized programs such as daily guided tours, English country dancing, village ghost tours, and panel discussions that contextualize local stories and broader American history. Historic Richmond Town offers family‑friendly activities including pumpkin picking at Decker Farm, hay rides, corn mazes, and Old Home Day demonstrations. Special programming connects archival research and community memory through Talks of the Town lectures, volunteer opportunities for community members aged 16 and up, and events that highlight manufacturing and childhood artifacts in rotating exhibitions like “Made on Staten Island” and “Toys!” Museum staff and trained volunteers operate programs, maintain historic structures, and lead interpretive tours and workshops. All-day museum admission provides access to exhibitions and scheduled village programs. As a documented historic site, Historic Richmond Town partners with educators, researchers, and local organizations to support historical scholarship and public engagement. The institution emphasizes accurate interpretation, hands-on demonstrations of historic trades, and inclusive programming that reflects Staten Island’s cultural heritage. Clear visitor information, accessible daily schedules, and seasonal events make the site a practical destination for families, students, and history enthusiasts. Detailed signage, archival exhibitions, and trained interpreters support reliable learning experiences for visitors of all ages.
Book with Historic Richmond Town