Whether you live on Staten Island, or if you’re simply visiting for the day- you must make a bee-line for the Alice Austen House… the view alone is simply breathtaking! The Dutch Colonial/Gothic Revival home of Alice Austen, a pioneering 19th-century photographer (1866-1952), the lawn, the view on the water looking over Manhattan and the Verrazano Bridge — there is really nothing quite like it.
Just for the kids: Flipping Pages: Offered every first and last Thursday of each month at 3:30PM this story telling event for ages 4-8 years old; offers a calm and relaxing time. Children will enjoy an illustrated story sitting on the front lawn of the Alice Austen House Museum “Clear Comfort” overlooking the Narrows. The books they read are in some way related to Alice Austen, photography or the backdrop of the city and waterway. For instance, the book “Indognito,” about canines in costume, will be introduced with an explanation of how Alice had two dogs, Chico and Punch. The storyteller will show photographs that Alice took of the dogs in her yard (now the Alice Austen Park) and host a “photo scavenger hunt” where kids have to find the location where the dogs were photographed. If weather is not permitting, event will take place in the museum. A short tour/art discussion to introduce your child to the museum and art making activity is included. FREE! Reservations required.
Just for adults: Beginner Adult Photography Workshop 11:30-1:30 PM Learn the basics of digital photography and leave with some great photos. If you don’t have a camera, don’t worry, they provide everything, individualized instruction will be given to those who bring their own cameras.
For the WHOLE family: Celebrate City of Water Day on Saturday, July 16, with the Alice Austen House Museum and Kayak Staten Island. Beginning at 3:30 pm Kayak Staten Island offers free kayaking at South Beach. Then at 9:00 everyone is welcome to the Alice Austen House Museum for an outdoor showing of JAWS. Bring a picnic; enjoy a great movie and the best views of New York. (Though not sure if you dare to get into a kayak again.)
Address: Alice Austen House Museum 2 Hylan Blvd. SI, NY 10305
Information: 718 816 4506 x 12. Free admission for families of the military on May 30, 2011, through Labor Day, September 5, 2011 For more info: http://www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums
Leave a Reply