The Stephen-Prier House is hailed as the most impressive mid-19th century residence surviving in Richmond Town. Built circa 1857-1859, it serves as the office building for Historic Richmond Town. Two Conservancy grants are helping restore the building after significant water damage.
The two-and-one-half-story wood frame house is symmetrically designed with classical pediments on all four sides and identical facades facing Center Street and Richmond Road on Staten Island. The building incorporates Greek Revival and Italianate styles.
The northeast corner suffered significant water damage when a gutter wasn’t connected properly to a leader. Rainwater flowed into the wooden wall damaging the wood clapboard exterior, interior plasterwork, and the corner post. The repair estimates exceeded Historic Richmond Town’s maintenance budget.
The Conservancy pledged a $10,000 Nonprofit Technical Assistance Grant and a $25,000 Emergency Preservation Grant toward the repairs. The scope of work includes addressing the northeast corner soffit and fascia, corner board, brackets and posts, and clapboard. Fifty Three Restorations began work in the first week of January and is scheduled to finish shortly.
Historic Richmond Town is a living history village spread across 100 acres with 38 historic buildings dating from the late 17th to the early 20th centuries. It’s managed by the Staten Island Historical Society as an independent nonprofit cultural organization.
