Other Inspiration
Historic Richmond Talks
The Quarantine War of 1858
Historic Richmond Town is launching a new public program conversation series, Historic Richmond Town Talks. Each month, a new conversation exploring a unique topic will be made available for livestream or download.
Watch the trailer here and check out our HRT Talks page download the FULL program.
The Quarantine War of 1858 tells the story of the burning of the Quarantine Marine Hospital facility on Staten Island. For decades, the quarantine housed those stricken with infectious diseases. On September 1st and 2nd, 1858, protesting the dangers posed by the presence of contagion in the community, local residents stormed the Quarantine Station in Tompkinsville. Historical Interpreter Ian Hagens and Historic Richmond Town Blacksmith Jeffrey Cavorley narrate this story and discuss the traces of this dramatic event still visible on the island landscape today.
Music: “The Quarantine” by Norm Pederson and Stout
Directions
Stack felt or soft fabric, lay lantern body paper on top.
Punch designs through the paper, cushioned by the fabric below.
Glue the ends of the lantern body together to make a cylinder.
Glue the triangular piece to the bottom.
Glue the handle to the top of the lantern body.
“By Lantern Light” - An At-home Craft for Kids
Punched tin lanterns were a popular lighting device for centuries. Lanterns like the one seen here were made by tinsmiths, who punched holes through the body of a lantern to create interesting designs.
You can make your own pierced paper lantern at home, using patterns that are your own design.
What you will need:
Scissors
Ruler
Pen or pencil
Glue
Several sheets of felt or soft fabric
10’’ x 6’’ piece of paper (lantern body)
12’’ x 1’’ piece of paper (handle)
Triangular piece of paper (6’’ long / 4’’ tall in this demonstration)
Paper punch (chopstick/bamboo skewer or like implement)
Electronic tea light
Send us photos of your creations! Tag us on social media: @historicrichmondtown
Lighting the Way
“Lighting the Way,” one of Historic Richmond Town’s most popular workshops, helps students learn how people lit their homes and businesses before electricity. During @ArtsAndCultureInQuarantine, we present a modified digital version of “Lighting The Way.” Join Director of Education and Public Programs Luke Boyd for an inquiry into early lighting devices, and a candle-making activity that can be done at home. Though the historic buildings are not accessible, Luke presents this program in period costume.
Lighting the Way is intended for grades K-3. Teachers and parents, feel free to pause and play this video as Luke offers questions throughout this program.
When offered on-site, this program is made possible with generous support from Con Edison.
Make your own candle instructions:
What you need:
Paraffin wax
Glass jar
Wicks
Lavender Essential Oil (optional)
Wick stabilizer
Glue
Scissors
Step 1: Melt the wax. The melting pot can be placed on direct heat or in a shallow pot of boiling water.
Step 2: Attach the wick to the jar (with glue or glue dots)
Step 3: When the wax turns clear, remove from the heating element (use gloves).
Step 4: Add a few drops of essential oil to the wax.
Step 5: Gently Pour the wax into the jar. Let the candle cool for 20-25 minutes.
Decorate your candle as desired!
Send us your candle creations @historicrichmondtown on social media!
Celebrating Staten Island's rich history of medicine and healthcare
This American Red Cross uniform was worn from 1940-1945 by Margaret Robinson, who volunteered as a nurse's aide at St. Vincent's Hospital on Staten Island during World War II.
Historic Richmond Town celebrates Staten Island's rich history of medicine and healthcare with this brand new Pinterest board, #MuseumsThankHealthHeroes. This American Red Cross Nurse's Aide Uniform was worn by Margaret Robinson, who volunteered as a nurse's aide at St. Vincent's Hospital on Staten Island during World War II.
Instructions:
What you’ll need (can be substituted for like items found at home):
Cardboard box
Tissue paper
Index cards
Fabric scraps
Glue
Stapler/staples
Yarn
Spring Arts & Crafts for Kids!
Make your own easter basket and print some coloring book pages
Even though we are temporarily closed, Historic Richmond Town is delighted to share enriching resources for kids and families at home. Spring is here, and so are some fun activities for you to enjoy. We invite you follow the instructions below to make your own Easter Basket, or enjoy some printable coloring pages inspired by Spring at Richmond Town events.
Share your creations with us! Tag us on Instagram: @historicrichmondtown.
Step 1: Cut off one panel off of the box. If needed, secure the top of the box closed with staples to create the fourth 'basket' side.
Step 2: Using several sheets of tissue paper larger than your box, loosely wrap the basket from underneath over the sides, one sheet at a time. You've used enough tissue paper when you can no longer see the print on the outside of the box. Staple the sheets to the box to secure.
Step 3: Use one more sheet of tissue paper to create a 'bed' for your eggs to sit on. Place it into the basket and adjust until you like the way it looks.
Step 4: Cut index cards in half lengthwise and staple/glue end to end to create a long strip which will become your handle.
Step 5: Decorate your handle with the fabric scraps, gluing them to the underside of the handle. Let dry.
Step 6: Attach the handle to each side of the basket with staples
Step 7: Wrap yarn around 2 fingers several times, slide it off of your fingers and continue wrapping around the center of the bundle to create a bow. Repeat once more.
Step 8: Glue your bows over the places where your handles are attached to cover up the staples.
Step 9: Fill the basket with excess fabric scraps to simulate 'grass' if desired.
Step 10: Decorate as desired and enjoy!
Pinterest Favorites
At Historic Richmond Town, the collections tell the story of life on Staten Island from the colonial period right up to the present day. The museum’s holdings include approximately 60,000 artifacts; 50,000 photographs and negatives; 1,200 cubic feet of archival materials; and 15,000 published volumes in the research library. Here is a Pinterest board with a sampling of just a few favorites. Much more can be found in the Collections Database. Enjoy!