New Brighton on Staten Island in Richmond County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Visitor's Center & Galleries, Building C, Main Hall
Architect: Minard Lafever (1798-1854)
Formerly: An Administrative Building
| | Built: 1831-1833 | |
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), September 10, 2021
1. Visitor's Center & Galleries, Building C, Main Hall Marker
This Greek Revival building was designed by Minard Lafever who submitted the winning design to the Trustees of Sailors' Snug Harbor design competition in 1831. Completed in 1833, it was the first building on campus and the historic cornerstone of Snug Harbor. In 1965, the building was one of the first historic buildings to be designated a landmark by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. Its interior featured nautical influences that provided original residents with a sense of familiarity and comfort, including stained glass transoms with seafaring scenes made by Louis Comfort Tiffany that decorate the doorways and a ceiling mural of Neptune the God of the Sea still presides over visitors.
Did you know?
The weather vane that sits on top of Building C emitted the familiar and soothing sounds of a ship rocking at sea that would lull the sailors to sleep. It can still be heard on a windy day.
Erected by Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Landmarks • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1831.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, this marker was in New York City. It was also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art (a few steps from this marker); Sailor's Snug Harbor (a few steps from this marker); Snug Harbor: History, Culture, Community (a few steps from this
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), September 10, 2021
2. Visitor's Center & Galleries, Building C, Main Hall Marker
Other markers no longer nearby. Randall Memorial (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Staten Island Museum, Building A (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Also see . . . Sailors' Snug Harbor. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on February 12, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 268 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 11, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
