Mid Island on Staten Island in Richmond County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Staten Island Museum
Buildings A & B | New York City Landmark
Built: 1879 - 1880
Architect: Richard P. Smyth
The Staten Island Museum is as important to Staten Island's history, natural preservation, and culture as Snug Harbor itself. When you visit, you'll enjoy exhibitions, programs, and educational activities that spark curiosity and create meaningful shared experiences through natural science, art, and history, which deepen understanding of our environment, ourselves, and each other.
The Museum (formerly the Staten Island Institute for arts and Sciences) was founded in 1881 by renowned naturalist William T. Davis and thirteen other local environment researchers in order to provide a record of Staten Island's native plant and animal life for future generations and advocate for its preservation.
As it grew throughout the 20th century, it became a center for intellectual and scientific conversation, and played a leading role in founding local institutions such as the Staten Island Zoo, the Staten Island Historical Society, the Staten Island Greenbelt, and the New York Botanical Garden.
Erected by Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden; Staten Island Museum; NYC & Company foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Landmarks. A significant historical year for this entry is 1881.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in New York City. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art (within shouting distance of this marker); Sailor's Snug Harbor (within shouting distance of this marker); Snug Harbor: History, Culture, Community (within shouting distance of this marker); New Earth - Apocalypse Knowledge Advancement Unit (NEAKA), 2014 (within shouting distance of this marker); William Main Doerflinger (within shouting distance of this marker); Noble Maritime Collection (within shouting distance of this marker); Robert Richard Randall (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Noble Maritime Collection (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Staten Island.
Other markers no longer nearby. Staten Island Museum, Building A (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Randall Memorial (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with
Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 8, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 50 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 8, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
