Snug Harbor, Staten Island, New York. Designed by Martin E. Thompson and built in 1831–1833
Revolutionary War soldier and ship’s captain Robert Richard Randall (1750–1801) owned a large country estate to the north of what is now Washington Square in Manhattan. When he died, he bequeathed his fortune to the establishment of a “home for the aged, decrepit and worn-out sailors”. His heirs contested the will, and it took three decades before the home could be established. In the meantime, the site of his once country estate was now on the edge of a quickly developing Greenwich Village. The Trustees of the home leased the Manhattan property (and wisely retained the residential nature of the district, a major reason why Greenwich Village from 8th to 12th streets never became commercial). They purchased 130 acres in the New Brighton section of Staten Island and opened Sailors’ Snug Harbor in 1833, the first such home for retired sailors in the The nature of Snug Harbor was largely set during the directorship of Capt. Thomas Melville (1830–1884)—Herman’s brother—from 1867 until 1884. By that time, more than a thousand former merchant seamen lived at Snug Harbor and the charity was one of the wealthiest in America. By the mid 20th century, following to the introduction of Social Security, the Harbor was reduced to around 200 residents and the property had fallen into disrepair. acres of the site was sold the the City of New York in 1973, and the Snug Harbor Cultural Center opened in 1976.
Size: 5184px × 3456px
Location: Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, New York,
Photo credit: © Matthew Kiernan / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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