Celebrating Jewish American Heritage:
Photographs by Isaac Almstaedt
Photographer Isaac Almstaedt (1851-1921) captured the beauty of the world around him. A native of Staten Island, Almstaedt turned his artistic eye to the Island’s picturesque surroundings, creating hundreds of memorable landscape photographs. His artistic abilities were equally evident in his portrait photography, and individuals as well known as Cornelius Vanderbilt and Buffalo Bill Cody posed for his camera. From 1886 to 1915, Almstaedt was the official photographer of the Staten Island Cricket and Baseball Club. In his later years, he also created artistic wooden sculptures in his studio in Tompkinsville.
Isaac Almstaedt was equally noted for his involvement in the local community. Along with his parents, Abraham and Rachael, he was active in Staten Island’s first Jewish congregation, and in 1891 he presided at the laying of the cornerstone for B’nai Jeshurun, Staten Island’s first synagogue. In the 1890s, he served as President of the New Brighton Board of Health, working to address the many public health concerns of his day.
This slideshow highlights the work of this talented artist. Let his photographs take you back in time to another era on Staten Island.
