Historic Richmond Town's Candlelight Tours!

Hundreds of families stepped back through time to taste, smell, and touch the holiday celebrations of centuries past. Evening tours led by candlelight showcased more than three hundred years of yuletide on Staten Island, where culture and food-ways from all over world combine to create something that is uniquely New York.

Visitors warmed themselves by the roaring hearth fires of the historic Guyon-Lake-Tysen farmhouse and enjoyed handmade ole-cokes, a traditional Dutch holiday treat! Friends joined in song with an authentic Methodist choir in the quiet and quaint parlor of the Basketmaker’s house and learned the Hanukah traditions of turn of the century New York when stopping by the Bennett house and cafe. A trip to the General Store allowed patrons to envision last-minute Christmas shopping as it would have been in the 19th century. A trip to the newly restored Stephens-Black house allowed visitors to discover the origins of a true Victorian Christmas and Christmas tree! Tours culminated with an old-fashion wassail reception and English Country Dance demonstration in the Third County Courthouse.

As Historic Richmond Town’s Candlelight Tours program comes to a close, the Staten Island Historical Society would like to extend a warm thank you to all of the families who attended and to all of the volunteers, staff and friends who make these special events possible! Happy Holidays from New York City’s living history village!