Welcome to The Preservation League of Staten Island

William J. Staples and his partner, Monthorne Tompkins, purchased a large parcel of land in 1832 to establish their real estate venture. Four years later, the pair initiated ferry service from the waterfront in Stapleton to Manhattan across New York Bay and began advertising their community to attract investors. As lots were sold and the community developed, businesses soon followed. The large influx of German immigrants to the area brought with them an expertise for brewing beer, with the result that Stapleton soon became the epicenter of a large brewing industry. The wealth the breweries attracted to the area resulted in the construction of large homes, mansions, and estates, many of which still stand today along the crests of the area's hilly terrain. James G. Ferreri is the past president of the Preservation League of Staten Island and an interior designer. Passionate about the preservation and restoration of historic homes, he is the author of a monthly history column in t

Tuesday, September 21, 2010, 1 Center Street, Manhattan, 9:30AM The public hearing of the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission will consider the WILLIAM T. and MARY MARCELLITE GARNER MANSION. WILLIAM T. GARNER  MANSION Now a part of Richmond University Medical   Center, 355 Bard Avenue, Randall Manor.   The house is one of the few free-standing pre-civil war mansions still surviving in New York City. It was built in 1859-60 by Charles Corey Taber, a prominent cotton broker and real estate developer.In 1870 it was purchased by William T. Garner, the owner of Harmony Mills.  A vice-commodore of the NY Yacht Club, Garner owned the largest yacht in the world. It became St. Austin's School for Boys in the 1880's and later St. Austin's Military Academy.  In 1903 it was   aquired   by the Sisters of Charity.  It was heard but not designated in 1966. In 2003 PLSI again requested landmarking, but it was not heard. The Garner Mansion is the first item on the LPC public

The book,  Tottenville, the Town the Oyster Bui lt by  Barnett Shepherd  was published jointly by the Preservation League of Staten Island (PLSI) and the Tottenville Historical Society (THS). The book is on sale by the THS for $40 with a 10% discount for PSLI and THS members. To order on-line go to  TottenvilleHistory.com

Cedar Grove Beach The NYC Parks Department will not be renewing the lease for residents of Cedar Grove Beach.  Residents must vacate the premises by September 30, 2010.  Most of the beach front homes will be raised, with the exception of a few structures that will be retrofitted for Parks Department use. A unique community will be erased from the waterfront, as with many other earlier beach front communities that once thrived on the mid and south shore of Staten Island.

We will be frequently updating our Flickr page with photostreams of significant architecture on Staten Island! You can find it at this address:  Preservation League of Staten Island Flickr Photos

We will be frequently updating our Flickr page with photostreams of significant architecture on Staten Island! You can find it at this address:  Preservation League of Staten Island Flickr Photos

The NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) has denied landmark status for Lamb & Rich Mansion.  Staten Islanders seem to be numb to the fact that their history is being taken away from them and destroyed forever.  As committed Staten Island residents, we need to make a concerted effort to stop the destruction of historic structures, and we need to reassess what our built and natural landscapes and neighborhoods will ultimately become.  Will they leave a rich legacy of history, beauty and sustainability, or will our neighborhoods become cooky-cutter tax-bases for the City of New York, and ultimately, slums.  LPC's statement is that Butler Manor has no historic significance! Visit our friend at SecretSI to see pictures of the destruction and read the history of the manor!