250 years of Staten Island
Native Encampment at Historic Richmond Town
The Lenape
For more than 10,000 years, the Lenape people lived and stewarded this region. Staten Island was known as “Aquehonga Manacknong.” Before the middle of the 17th century, the island was a beacon of sustainable land stewardship. Around 1620 the Dutch docked on the sandy shores, claiming ownership from the Lenape people. This resulted in three major attempts by the Lenape to maintain the use of the island. By 1655 the Indigenous leadership signed a treaty with the Dutch and were documented to have mostly left by 1670.
Depiction by Alonzo Chappel of S.I Peace Conference
American Revolution
During 1776, Staten Island was occupied by British forces, with as many as 30,000 British soldiers being quartered on the island. Staten Island was mostly a loyalist stronghold, with patriots meeting in secret, dispatching intelligence about the movements of the enemy. After years of occupation, many patriots fled the area to New Jersey and beyond, and the island was nearly completely deforested, with Staten Island lumber being used up by the British army.
Civil War envelope
Civil War Period
During 1861-1865, soldiers were trained and quartered on military forts on the island before mustering out. Robert Gould Shaw, who commanded one of the first US Colored Troops Regiment, had family connections to Staten Island. In July of 1863, the NY draft riots spill over into Staten Island, with several homes of African Americans being burned in Stapleton.
Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge nearing completion from 1964
20th Century
The beginning of the century saw Staten Island become a part of NYC with the consolidation act.
A historical society is formed to preserve the historical character of the island (Historic Richmond Town today). A new bridge is developed (Verrazzano-Narrows) which leads to a massive influx of newcomers and growth.
The worlds largest landfill is also created here in Freshkills park by 1955 and closed down by the end of the century, marking a new era for the park to be restored to it’s natural state.
During 1964, the area of high rock park is sold by the council to a private real estate developer. Fortunately, through the efforts of concerned citizens and the Borough President Albert V. Maniscalco (1908-1998) High Rock becomes a public parkland by 1965.
Little Sri Lanka is formed as well during the 1960s after new waves of immigrants move to Victory Boulevard, shortly after the completion of the bridge. They brought their unique culture and vibrant community with them.
There’s much more history to be shared and we welcome you to learn more from our events as we look towards the future.