STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Historic Richmond Town, Staten Island’s living-history village, has been nominated for 10 best open-air museums by USA Today.
This recognition is part of the publication’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Award. The national contest features 20 museums, with the top 10 earning the award. Historic Richmond Town is currently in the lead, according to a leaderboard on the USA Today website.
“Vote early and often,” Historic Richmond Town CEO Jessica Phillips said.
Phillips encouraged people who haven’t yet visited to come experience the site firsthand and explore New York history.
“We have the largest collection of the oldest houses in New York state. We have 38 historic structures,” Phillips said.
Phillips said the museum offers guided tours through its campus, and features buildings dating back to the 1660s. The museum even includes costumed interpreters who reenact daily colonial and early American life.
“Fifty percent of the houses are original to the site,” Phillips said, a distinction that makes the museum particularly authentic.
Phillips said she hopes the nomination encourages more people to visit.
“Right now we have an exhibit on women’s shoes,” Phillips said. “And an exhibit on postcards from Staten Island. It’s really interesting to see how the borough used to look.”
Phillips said the nomination itself is exciting.
“It’s an honor to be listed among them,” Phillips said of the other museums nominated.
Voting is open now, and supporters can vote once per day, every day until the contest closes Monday, Feb. 9 at noon ET. Winners will be announced Wednesday, Feb. 18.