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Text by Barnett Shepherd, Executive Director of PLSI Olmsted House. All photos courtesy Nick Matranga (c) The stone portion of this structure was built in the early 18th century by Jacques Poillon, the County Road Commissioner. The relieving arches visible on the facade suggest that it may originally have been a barn. The frame second floor, attic and kitchen wing were added ca. 1840. In 1847 the farm was purchased by Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903), America’s first landscape architect. He lived here until 1853. He grew fruit trees while experimenting with farm techniques and landscape design. The Cedars of Lebanon, ginkgo and walnut trees seen today in the front yard were planted by Olmsted. The house is a Designated NYC Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Piollon/Akerely/Olmsted/Beil House. photo NYPL.

In conjunction with the Museum of the City of New York's Exhibit " From Farm to City: Staten Island, 1661-2012 " we will display some photos  (courtesy of The New York Public Library)  of old  farms on Staten Island   on our Blog . Agriculture played a distinctive and important part of Staten Island's economic growth, from Native Americans who farmed the land to the colonization of the Island by the Huguenots and the English. Farm life was a constant battle with nature, taming the landscape to create farm fields, the cutting of forests and the clearing and draining of the swamps and marshes for pasture for domesticated animals.  Horses were a dominant feature, used for the plowing and transport of produce. Many farms also had fruit orchards growing various types of apples, pears, peaches, and figs. Manhattan was the primary market for the 18th and 19th century Yeoman Farmer of Richmond County. The only remaining working farm on Staten Island is the ...

House and Garden Tour New Brighton, Hamilton Park Sunday, June 24, 2012 Author: Nicholas  3 MAY House and Garden Tour New Brighton, Hamilton Park  Sunday, June 24, 2012 The tour includes four to six historic houses in the Hamilton Park section of New Brighton, a suburban community designed around 1860 by Charles K. Hamilton. Tickets are $25. Information: (718) 448-2006 Admission Price One Ticket$25.00 USD Tickets For Two ($10.00 Discount)$40.00 USD

E-BULLETIN OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICTS COUNCIL February 2012, Volume 9, Number 3 Learn about the New York State Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Thursday, February 16, 2012 6:30-8:00pm Join HDC and neighborhood partner, the  Two Bridges Neighborhood Council , to learn about available financial resources for rehabilitative work to your historic building. Where:                       Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA) 62 Mott Street, Manhattan - Between Canal & Bayard Streets Invited Speakers:     Council member Margaret Chin Council District 1, Manhattan Beth Cummings, Historic Sites Restoration Coordinator Sloane Bullough, Historic Preservation Specialist New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation            ...

Seasons Greetings from the Preservation League of Staten Island  Happy Holidays! December 2011 PLSI NEWS    Quick Links Our Website Products Services Call: 718-980-1551 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting                 718-980-1551         end_of_the_skype_highlighting for Informaton about Membership, Volunteering or Year- End Donations! Dear Nicholas, We at the  Preservation League of Staten Island  wish you and your family a Joyous Holiday Season and a Happy New Year ! Please remember PLSI and our Preservation Work on Staten Island when contemplating a year-end, tax-deductible donation!  Any amount helps us fight to preserve what is left of our historic environment!  Thank for your generous support!   Donate with PayPal below: PayPal Donation Important Save the SI Castle Update!  Please take a look at o...

  Hi- Stop by from Noon to 3 p.m. for the Castleton Village Stroll- between Oakland and Davis Avenue- Meet Santa at Dick's Deli at 1p.m. Also, St. Mary's Episcopal Church is having their Holiday Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. I will be there with West Brighton LDC and my Wagner College students/interns. Also, 5 p.m. Free Tree Lighting Ceremony at Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Holiday Party/Refreshments $10.00 Also, Unitarian Church Holiday Fair today and Sacred Heart Church, Castleton Avenue- Holiday Fair, Sunday, Dec 4th FYI: Save the SI Castle Meeting this Wednesday, December 7th at Christ Church- 7 p.m. Hope to see you there!   Angela D'Aiuto