In this special living history program, explore the history of Native life and Dutch colonial settlement of Staten Island.

Admission: $5 | Kids 5 and under: FREE
Free for Historic Richmond Town Members
Location:
Billiou-Stillwell-Perine House,
1476 Richmond Road, Staten Island, NY
(Limited street parking is available.)

Visit the borough’s oldest house, the Billiou-Stillwell-Perine House, which turns 360 years old this year. In addition to self-guided tours of the historic house, living historians will interpret the stories of indigenous peoples and Dutch colonizers who lived on Staten Island in the 17th century. See authentic costuming, tools and accouterments used in the everyday life of the Eastern Woodland peoples and the European newcomers to this land. Historic trades and firearms will be demonstrated throughout the day.

The year is 1663. Pierre Billiou, a Walloon and Huguenot settler on the Dutch Colony of Staaten Eyladnt, completes a house on his land deeded to him by Peter Stuyvesant. His house is built at the top of property that extends from a short hill down to the ocean. The settlement is called Oude Dorp, Dutch for Old Town. The Dutch call the island Staaten Eylandt, named for the Staten-Generaal of the Netherlands.

The years previous saw bloodshed between the Dutch colonizers and the Lenape people, who call this island Aquegonga Manacknong. For centuries, bands of Lenape people lived among the wooded hills and oystered in the watery inlets surrounding the island.

The Billiou-Stillwell-Perine House has been in the care of Historic Richmond Town for 100 years. Come explore this remarkable landmark and become a part of its ongoing story.