Historical Urban Tour of Staten Island's Transit Legacy

Learn about Staten Island’s detachment from the transit system of New York City and its impact on the past and present. Staten Island’s history and culture has been shaped by its lack of subway access. For decades, Staten Islanders have felt isolated, creating an identity as ‘the forgotten borough.’ Kenneth M. Gold, author of The Forgotten Borough: Staten Island and the Subway investigates the impact of transit isolation on Staten Island’s history and identity. Gold chronicles decades of recurrent efforts to build a rail link, using this history to explore the borough’s fraught relationship with New York City as a whole. Gold demonstrates that the failure to establish a rail link during this period caused Staten Island to diverge culturally, demographically, and politically from the other four boroughs. Drawing on extensive archival research, including maps, city plans, and archival photographs, this presentation shows how transportation infrastructure and politics shed new light on urban history.

Ticket Price Promise##

Historic Richmond Town's mission is to foster understanding of Staten Island's diverse and unfolding history. Programs are offered throughout the year to visitors of all ages, geared towards residents and tourists alike. Experiences like this lecture are offered at no cost to visitors.

Know Before You Go##

• Accessibility: Historic Richmond Town is an historic site that includes paved and unpaved roads that lead to the various public spaces, including historic buildings restored to resemble their original construction from the 17th-19th centuries. While many of the site's buildings have wheelchair-accessible entrances, such as the Museum and Visitor Center at the 3rd County Courthouse, wheelchair access to many of the historic structures on site varies. Please call 718-351-1611 x247 for additional information.
• Pets: Please leave your pets at home. Service animals recognized by the ADA are welcome.
• Photography/Videography Release: Please be advised that by entering the site for today's special events, you irrecoverably consent to be photographed or videotaped by an authorized Historic Richmond Town staffer. You also irrevocably consent that any recorded images and audio from this event may be reproduced in any and all media devised for promotional, advertising, educational, archival, or any other purposes in association with Historic Richmond Town.
• Other: No Smoking & No Soliciting

Cancellation & Refund Policy

• This is an exclusive program with limited ticket availability. All ticket sales are final, non-transferrable, and non-refundable.
• All events and programs are rain or shine and no refunds will be given due to weather conditions. No exceptions.
• In the event of event or program cancellation on part of Historic Richmond Town, a full refund will be issued within 5 business days to your original form of payment.