State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton and Assemblyman Mike Reilly announced $445,000 in state funding Monday, Aug. 3, to support restoration work at the historic Kreischer Mansion and help make the Charleston landmark accessible to the public.
Scarcella-Spanton secured $315,000 for the project, while Reilly obtained an additional $130,000. The lawmakers gathered at the mansion with local officials and the property’s owners to outline how the money will be used to preserve the site and expand public access.
Built around 1885 by German immigrant and brick manufacturer Balthasar Kreischer, the mansion was constructed for one of his sons and has remained a fixture in the Charleston community for more than a century.
The property is known for its distinctive architectural design and its connection to Staten Island’s industrial history. It has also gained a reputation among residents as one of the borough’s most famous haunted houses, adding to its place in local folklore.
The Kreischer House was designated a New York City landmark in 1968 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
Scarcella-Spanton said the new funding will help ensure that the property is maintained while creating opportunities for Staten Islanders to visit and learn about its history.
“Receiving essential maintenance support and opening its doors to the public are important steps in preserving all of the history that the Kreischer Mansion holds,” Scarcella-Spanton said.
Reilly also emphasized the mansion’s importance to the borough and said the restoration project will allow more New Yorkers to experience the property.
“The Kreischer Mansion is a treasured part of Staten Island’s history and a symbol of the generations who helped shape our community,” Reilly said. “The mansion will now be accessible to the public, and this historical treasure will be an inspiration for all New Yorkers.”
State Sen. Andrew Lanza, who also attended Monday’s press conference, described the mansion as an important reminder of Staten Island’s industrial past and expressed support for the state investment.
“The Kreischer Mansion is a true Staten Island treasure with deep roots in our borough’s industrial past,” Lanza said. “I am proud to join my colleagues in supporting state funding that will help restore this iconic landmark so it can once again serve our community.”
The mansion’s current owners, Eric Bischoff and Julia Mackie, also appeared at the announcement. Kreischer Mansion Holdings LLC purchased the property in March 2025 and has since been working toward restoring it and reopening it for public use.
“It’s a privilege and an honor to restore the Kreischer House,” Bischoff said.
Scarcella-Spanton praised Bischoff and Mackie for taking on the restoration effort and working to preserve the mansion’s place in Staten Island history.
“The work and effort to keep the legacy of the Charles Kreischer House is admirable, and I thank everyone involved, including Eric Bischoff and Julia Mackie, for their unwavering commitment to keeping our borough’s story alive,” she said.
The $445,000 will support continued restoration and maintenance work at the property as its owners prepare the mansion for broader public access.
Officials said preserving the site will protect an important part of Staten Island’s architectural and industrial heritage while giving future generations the opportunity to visit one of the borough’s most recognizable historic properties.