Christopher House (Staten Island) facts for kids
The Christopher House is an old farmhouse made of stone in Historic Richmond Town on Staten Island, New York City. It's connected to two of Staten Island's oldest families. This house was also a secret meeting spot during the American Revolution. Joseph Christopher, who lived there, was part of the Richmond County Committee of Safety from 1775 to 1776. The house was moved to Historic Richmond Town in late 1969 and was fixed up to be a museum from 1975 to 1977.
Building the House
Experts from the Landmarks Preservation Commission thought the first part of the house was built in 1756. They believed a bigger section was added around 1764. However, new research by Loring McMillen at Historic Richmond Town suggests the house is even older. They now think the original part was built around 1720, with the addition coming around 1730.
The house is built in a style called "Colonial salt-box." This means it has a long, sloping roof on one side, like an old-fashioned salt box. It was first located in an area of Staten Island now called Willowbrook. Back then, it stood near large, wet marshlands known as the "great swamp." The house has two main parts. Its walls are 22 inches thick and made of local fieldstone, with wood on top. It has one and a half stories, a small cellar, and a pointed roof.
Where It First Stood
The Christopher House was originally located near 819 Willowbrook Road on Staten Island. Being close to the "Great Swamp" was very helpful during the Revolutionary War. It offered a way for people to escape if secret meetings held in the house were discovered. This made it a safe place for those fighting for American independence.
Who Lived Here?
Many people lived in the Christopher House over the years. Here are some of the important residents and what they did:
- John Christopher: He might have built the house, but we don't know for sure if he lived there. He was likely a farmer.
- Col. Thomas Dongan: He lived here from 1745 to 1757. He was the grand-nephew of Governor Thomas Dongan.
- Nelly Haughwout: She lived in the house by 1761.
- Joseph Christopher Sr.: He moved in by 1764. He was a key figure during the American Revolution.
- Joseph Christopher Jr.: He took over the house in 1825. He was a farmer and also a cooper, meaning he made wooden barrels and buckets.
- Thomas Standring: He owned the house from 1852 to 1858. He made hardware and combs.
- Samuel Stansring: He also made hardware and combs and owned the house before 1962.
Saving the House
In 1966, people started working to save the Christopher House. The Landmarks Preservation Commission held a public meeting to decide if it should be named a "Landmark." This would protect the house. Many people spoke in favor of saving it, and no one was against it. The owner also wanted the house to be protected. So, on December 13, 1967, the building officially became a New York City Landmark.
In 1969, a group called the History Committee asked Senator John Marchi for help to save the house. Many people in the community also signed a petition. This petition showed how much people wanted to preserve the Christopher House. They believed it was a very important place for American patriotism during the Revolution. It was a headquarters for the Staten Island Committee of Safety and a safe spot for George Washington's secret agents. People wanted the house to be a main part of Staten Island's celebration of America's 200th birthday in 1976. They hoped New York State would buy the house and create a small park around it to keep its history alive.
