Historic Richmond Town Announces Their 2010 Events

Mystery, Murder and Mischief at Historic Richmond Town Sleepovers for Grades 3 through 6

Groups of up to 20 Children; $45 Per Child, Call (718) 351-1611, ext 281

THE STATEN ISLAND HISTORIAN
The Staten Island Historian returned in 2008 and members of the Society
have enjoyed reading the publication of our journal.
Join now to receive the Winter, 2010 issue.

M. Bennett Café
Open for lunch Thursday & Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday: Breakfast served from 9:30 a.m. to Noon
Lunch served from Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday: Open for lunch or dinner for private parties of 10 or more.
For reservations, call 718-351-6308

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED IN ALL AREAS - from TECH to TOURS!
If you have time to spare and a love of Historic Richmond Town, please call
(718) 351-1611, Ext. 244.

Please help to support our soldiers serving overseas. Bring your donations to the
Third County Courthouse at Historic Richmond Town.
For a complete listing of items needed, please visit: www.siprojecthomefront.org

LITERATURE PROGRAMS:

The Story Museum
Preschool children up to age 5. Step inside a world filled with the magic of stories, crafts, music, dancing and singing. Every Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Historical Museum.
Call for reservations (718) 351-1611, Ext. 280.
$3.00/Child, Adult/FREE.

After-school Book Club
Students in Grades 4 through 7 meet on Wednesday afternoons at 3:30 p.m. in the Historical Museum to read and discuss selected books covering major periods in history. The collections and historic buildings of Historic Richmond Town will enhance the readers' experience of the time periods. Program free, cost of book additional.

Book Club for Adults
Join us on Tuesday, January 5 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in the congenial atmosphere at M. Bennett Cafe to discuss "Forever" by Pete Hammill. Light refreshments for sale at the meeting.

PROGRAMS:

ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCING
Every Wednesday from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Learn dances from the courts of England and Colonial America. Beginners welcome; no partners necessary. Upstairs in the courthouse.
$5.00 per person.

KNIT & CROCHET GROUP
Meets the second Tuesday of every month from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. in the M. Bennett Café. Hand-made items are created for donation to local organizations. Light refreshments for sale at the meeting. Next meeting, Tuesday, January 12.

DROP SPINDLE GROUP
Every Wednesday starting January 6; 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

How do you learn to use a spinning wheel? Carding wool and drafting evenly are first steps. Learn all that and more in friendly company in the courtroom. $5 per person.

JANUARY, 2010

Tavern concerts every Saturday evening, beginning January 9 (through April 17) Two shows; 7:30 and 9:00 p.m. For reservations, call 718-351-1611, Ext. 281.

January 9-String Fever
A band with bluegrass at its heart, this talented quintet plays folk, country & swing, featuring three and four part harmonies. Their musical virtuosity is matched only by their sense of humor and love of performing.

January 16-Wahoo Skiffle Crazies
Hailing from our very own swampy shores, Staten Island's Premier Jug Band"^TM are, in fact, the Island's only jug band. But that doesn't stop these eight zany musicians from creating wildly fun music-ragtime, blues, & many originals-on their homemade instruments.

January 23-Vincent Cross & Good Company
Having emigrated from his native Ireland to New York City, Vincent Cross performs his original bluegrass-inspired songs, as well as classics by the Osborne Brothers, Bill Monroe, & the Stanley Brothers. His high lonesome vocals leave audiences wondering whether he may be from Kentucky instead of Killarney.

January 30-This Old House
This dynamic jazz trio playing saxophone, acoustic guitar, & stand-up bass will light up (and shake up!) the Tavern with tunes by Patsy Cline, Robert Johnson, Louis Prima, and many more. As electric as acoustic can get.

Sunday, January 10, 2:00 p.m.
Opening reception for on-line catalog exhibition (members only).

Friday, January 22, 7:30 p.m.
How to research and find historical documents on Staten Island - an engaging seminar by Barnett Shepherd. Mr. Shepherd, former executive director of Historic Richmond Town, current caretaker of our Judge Jacob Tysen House and advisor to the Staten Island Museum, share stories about extraordinary finds made through the years.
Mr. Shepherd's most recent work, Tottenville: the Town the Oyster Built will be available for purchase.
Free to Members, $10 for Non-Members.
Reseration required. Please call 718-351-1611 Ext. 236.

Saturday, January 30, 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Curator's Private showing-Historical clothing
Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at highlights from the SIHS historic clothing collection. The curators will provide informative presentations about items which will be on display for that evening only. Items will include men's, women's, and children's clothing from the 1700s to today, and guests will have the opportunity to study these items closely. This event is presented in conjunction with the new SIHS Online Collections Database, which can be visited using the Collections link on our website.
$60/$45 Members of SIHS. Please call 718-351-1611, Ext. 236 to make a prepaid reservation.

NEW! STORY MUSEUM - JANUARY & FEBRUARY, 2010
2ND Saturday - January 9 & February 13 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. for kids ages 3 -6.
$3.00/Child, Adult/FREE.

FEBRUARY

Saturday, February 6, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Valentine Card making workshop - join our crew of volunteers in making Victorian valentines for local nursing home residents. FREE (Kits may be purchased for personal use).

Tavern concerts every Saturday evening through April 17. Two shows; 7:30 and 9:00 p.m. For reservations, call 718-351-1611, Ext. 281.

February 6-Songs of The Sea & Taverns
Known by the local Townspeople as the "Richmond Tavernacle Choir," this motley assortment of performing groups annually fill the tavern with great sailor sing-alongs, heart wrenching ballads and tales of life at sea and ashore. Landlubbers welcome.

February 13-Linda Russell & Companie
Celebrate Valentine's Day Eve with Tavern veteran Linda Russell-a singer/songwriter deeply rooted in traditional music, playing mountain and hammered dulcimers.
February 20-Blue Harvest
Featuring some of New York City's hottest acoustic musicians, this bluegrass band combines rich harmonies and fiery instrumentals to create real honest-to-goodness homespun music that everyone will enjoy.

February 27-Johnson Girls
This energetic all-woman a cappella group specializes in maritime music. Their repertoire includes songs of Afro-Caribbean, Irish, Anglo-American, Italian & French Canadian influence; songs of the inland waterways, of fishing, mining & much more.

MARCH

Beginning Thursday, March 4, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
8 week Quilt making class teaches hand quilting for beginners and experienced quilters, taught by Carlotta and Carli DeFillo.
$55/person, $50/SIHS Members. Prepaid reservations. Call (718) 351-1611, Ext. 281.

Tavern concerts every Saturday evening through April 17. Two shows; 7:30 and 9:00 p.m. For reservations, call 718-351-1611, Ext. 281.

March 6-Risky Business Bluegrass Band
Tavern veteran Rich Rainey heads up a talented combo that serves up great bluegrass music featuring 5-string banjo, string bass, mandolin, rhythm and lead guitar.

Friday, March 12 & Saturday, March 13--Irish Stout
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a lively band of seasoned performers playing traditional Irish songs, ballads and upbeat melodies.

March 20-Triboro
They hail from the boroughs of NYC, but look beyond the Hudson to other places and times, for songs and inspiration. This acoustic vocal trio applies fine three-part harmony to an eclectic mix of genres.

March 27-Point Cross
Named for a village on Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Island, these Tavern veterans specialize in Scottish and Irish fiddle tunes and lively Appalachian and Cajun material.

SUNDAY, MARCH 7 3:00 P.M.
SIOutLOUD presents To Kill a Mockingbird - a novel by Harper Lee
A little girl in Alabama remembers how her life changed when her father defended a Black man on trial. Townsfolk wanted to stage a lynching; her father knew that he had to take a stand.

APRIL

Tavern concerts every Saturday evening through April 17. Two shows; 7:30 and 9:00 p.m. For reservations, call 718-351-1611, Ext. 281.

April 3-Harbortown Revue
Award winning songwriter Bob Wright performs songs about our Island and its harbor environs, joined by a coterie of musical friends.

April 10-Dirdy Birdies Jug Band
The World's Most Dangerous Jug Band! Wandering minstrels that have been together since 1965 (!), their repertoire includes traditional jug band tunes, gospel, folk and doo-wop with homemade instruments and tight vocal harmonies.

April 17-Stout
The Tavern and Stout go together like cats and pajamas! They're a group of experienced folk musicians who combine hearty five-part vocal harmonies with traditional acoustic instruments and create an enthusiastic 19th century musical experience, not to be missed.

EXHIBITS:
"BRINGING UP BABY: Children's Furniture & Family Life"
The Historical Museum's new exhibition of objects of childhood illuminates aspects of 19th century childhood that are still relevant to parents today, including children's safety, diet, social skills and hygiene. Regular village admission.
This exhibit was made possible by the generosity of Wendy Shadwell. NEW! Audio tour!

"Third County Courthouse: Center for Civic Life on Staten Island" - This exhibition was funded by the New York State Council on the Arts and can be seen in the Staten Island Historical Society Third County Courthouse.

TOYS!! (ongoing) - Historical Museum

MADE ON STATEN ISLAND - Historical Museum

HOURS

Wednesday through Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Guided tours: Wednesday - Friday at 2:30 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday at 2:00 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.

ADMISSION PRICES

Adult
$5.00
Senior
$4.00
Child 5-17
$3.50
Child under 5 and Members of SIHS
FREE

Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Day and Easter Sunday

The Staten Island Historical Society operates Historic Richmond Town, New York City's historic village and museum complex. Historic Richmond Town is comprised of more than 25 homes and public buildings, including the Voorlezer's House, a National Landmark building dated to the 1690s; the Third County Courthouse, built in 1837; and PS 28, an elementary school built in 1907. Together these buildings recreate the history of over 300 years of continuous residence on Staten Island. Located in the heart of Staten Island, Historic Richmond Town is a 15-minute drive from all bridges and a 30-minute ride from the Staten Island ferry on bus S74.

The mission of the Staten Island Historical Society is to create opportunities for the public to explore the diversity of the American experience, especially that of Staten Island and its neighboring communities from the colonial period to the present. Historic Richmond Town is a joint project of the independent Staten Island Historical Society and the City of New York through the Department of Cultural Affairs, and is a member of the Historic House Trust.