Request for Expressions of Interest - July 2024
Introduction to Historic Richmond Town
Mission
Historic Richmond Town (HRT) interprets and restores a living history village, operates a historical museum, and collects and preserves material culture to inspire engagement with and understanding of the diverse histories of Staten Island.
To accomplish this, the organization:
Operates and interprets HRT, the largest and most complete historic village in the City of New York;
Conducts and promotes research based on the museum’s collection;
Collects and preserved the materials of everyday life including artifacts; and
Shares its collection and knowledge with the public through creative and engaging interpretive activities.
Context
Historic Richmond Town has become known as a cultural destination where visitors enjoy an experience that blends education, history, entertainment, and culture. These experiences celebrate connecting the past and present. Historic Richmond Town’s 35-acre manicured historic village and nine gallery historical museum is a life-size canvas on which history is shared.
HRT is not a static cultural institution, pointing to a particular year. The historic village is a pleasant and relaxed setting where guests are invited to stroll and discover history. The non-profit cultural leader, HRT produces annual public programs, events and fundraisers like Independence Day Celebration, Juneteenth, the Richmond County Fair, Pumpkin Picking in Decker Farm, Old Home Day, Hispanic Heritage Day, Candlelight Tours, Tavern Concerts, and many others create a vibrant place where people gather, learn, and have fun in a one-of-a-kind setting.
As we continue to grow, we are adding new experiences and amenities for our visitors and beyond.
Family-oriented food and beverage service that fits the style of the town;
Park-like amenities that appeal to families and leisurely outdoor activities;
Site-wide accessibility upgrades including new pathways, lighting, signage, and wheelchair access.
Cultural Program & Facility Overview
Historic Richmond Town operates a robust calendar of special events, school trips, group tours, educational programs, and research activities. Many of these events are site-wide. The staff maximizes the entire site for programming including building interiors, open space, and the demapped pedestrian streets. The Historical Museum contains nine galleries which house rotating exhibitions.
The historic village is composed of three unique spaces, main village (1860s), outer village (1780s), and lower village (1820s). Within the main village, the historic village of Richmond served as the county seat of Staten Island until the early 20th century. The 3rd County Courthouse (Visitor Center) was the focal point of the town, with additional government buildings, private homes, and trade shops clustered around the town center. The outer village is on the outskirts of town, near the forest and wetlands beyond, several historic structures built in the 18th century provide a glimpse into colonial Staten Island. During the American Revolution, Staten Island was occupied by British forces who used the island as a staging area and supply depot. From farm to farm, Staten Islanders debated the cause of independence versus loyalty to the British King. Along the banks of the Richmond Creek and along Richmond Road within the lower village, an early American town comes into focus. Following the American Revolution, a young nation begins to develop. Taverns play host to political discussions and lively entertainments, and handmade goods such as brooms and baskets are made in local shops and farmhouses.
During the summer season, visitors step into a world brought to life by historical interpreters as they showcase living history in structures across our campus, offering a glimpse into the daily life of Staten Islanders throughout history. Daily programs begin in June and include talks and demonstrations of trades, political life in the 19th century, the evolution of 1850s fashions, and what life was like for the Native people who lived on Staten Island over 300 years ago. Set against the backdrop of the woods and wetlands surrounding the site, Open Village is an immersive experience that educates and inspires.
During the winter season, visitors are welcome to daily guided tours with general admissions. These opportunities explore the various historic buildings within two unique themes. The Two Centuries Tour is a walking tour through Historic Richmond Town that explores key historical sites, including the Native Encampment, the Voorlezer's House, the Christopher House, and the Guyon-Lake-Tysen House. This tour highlights the evolving landscape and population of Staten Island from the 17th century through the 19th century. The Village Life Tour explores Staten Island in the 1820s, highlighting the Guyon-Lake-Tysen House, the Basket Maker's House, the Broom Shop, and the village Tavern. This tour provides insight into typical trades and daily life of the era, inviting visitors to imagine the island's quiet, village-filled past.
Request for Expressions of Interest
Background
Historic Richmond Town seeks a frozen dessert vendor to begin on-site operations in May 2025. This vendor will take over as the site’s purveyor following the conclusion of the lease currently held by Egger’s Original Ice Cream (Egger’s) in September 2024.
HRT and Egger’s have partnered fruitfully since 2018. Due to the coinciding of the predetermined expiration of Egger’s five-year lease with characteristics requiring for the demolition of the structure which houses its business, this successful relationship will come to an end at the close of this season.
Hundreds of thousands of annual visitors have grown accustomed to the availability of ice cream at Historic Richmond Town’s bucolic campus during the spring and summer months. HRT intends to continue servicing this segment of its visitation by forging a new, mutually-beneficial, and lasting partnership with a reputable company whose product, service, and value is of the highest quality and caliber.
The arrangement includes the use of the 200+ space parking lot and maintained bathroom facilities for vendor customers. In addition, access to electricity and running water are available.
All vender proposals should include:
Corporate and representative name and contact information;
Business information (year founded, history, locations, reach/footprint, etc.)
Product/service information (menus including current pricing), schedule of ancillary or related services, if applicable to proposed on-site operations at HRT (e.g. birthday parties); and
Draft schedule of monthly, weekly, and daily operating hours including proposed season opening and closing dates.
Successful vendor proposals will:
Include a compelling discussion of fitness, including aesthetic, reputational, thematic, or otherwise.
Echo the uniqueness of HRT’s landmarked site and describe how the prospective vendor will work within the confines posed thereby;
Articulate at least one suitable storefront concept;
Note that there is no preexisting structure available for a new vendor’s use at this time, and HRT does not intend to authorize the construction of any new structures.
HRT is especially interested in container kiosks, food trucks/trailers, repurposed vehicles (e.g. trolly cars), or similar transaction vessels of a non-permanent nature able to accommodate extremely high seasonal volume; and
Outline how the prospective vendor intends to add value to HRT’s campus as a visitor amenity, including the opportunities and challenges in connection with servicing mutual visitors while yielding to the organization’s mission, values, and priorities.
The submission deadline is October 4.
Contact:
Andrew Andron
Director of Business Development
Historic Richmond Town
aandron@historicrichmondtown.org
(718) 351-1611 x 242