Alice Austen House Museum & Garden
Alice Austen House Museum & Garden
Alice Austen House Museum & Garden
4.5
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
This gingerbread cottage was the home of one of America's most revered photographers, whose works are exhibited here.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
74 reviews
Excellent
46
Very good
21
Average
5
Poor
2
Terrible
0
MickH
Staten Island, NY14 contributions
Sep 2020
This historic house right on the water and almost under the Verrazano Bridge is a real gem. The grounds themselves are pleasant and scenic and the house has been well maintained much as it was when Alice lived there. They mix up displays of her living space and photography with other circulating shows. If you're touring the waterfront, this place should definitely be on your list.
Written October 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nycjcb
New York City, NY15 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
For the frequent visitor to New York, and for those interested in women's history and lesbian history, the Alice Austen house in Staten Island--known as "Clear Comfort"--is a treat. First built in 1690, the house was expanded in later centuries, and today exists in its Victorian form. Alice Austen (1866-1952) was the daughter of a prosperous family and lived a life of luxury. She never married, and lived openly with her female companion for most of her life. Unusual in her day for anyone, and especially for a woman, was her dedication to photography. She never sold her work, but made over 8000 photos of New York life. Her fortune collapsedin the 1929 crash, and she ended up living in a poorhouse in Staten Island. In her final year of life her pictures were rediscovered, and today she is regarded as a major photographer. The house is charming, and the views over New York harbor and lower Manhattan will bring out the camera for anyone. Take the Staten Island ferry, the bus S51 to 2 Hyland Blvd.
Written December 3, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chrissy F
New York City, NY5 contributions
Aug 2015 • Friends
Great escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Lovely gardens.
Bring lawnchairs or a picnic basket and sit on the grass to enjoy views of the beach and the bridge.
Lots of photo opportunities.
Museum is small but worthwhile.
Affordable! Suggested donation of $3
Lovely gardens.
Bring lawnchairs or a picnic basket and sit on the grass to enjoy views of the beach and the bridge.
Lots of photo opportunities.
Museum is small but worthwhile.
Affordable! Suggested donation of $3
Written September 2, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jbgshrink
New York City, NY155 contributions
Aug 2017 • Friends
This landmark home has the potential for being an extraordinary site but whoever got the original funding for this facility to become a museum made a deal with the devil. Apparently, the agreement is for contemporary photography exhibits to be highlighted rather than the common sense conclusion, which would be to fill this historic house with the remarkable photographs of Alice Austen. Instead, her photographs are only hung in the small entrance hall. When we asked to see more of her photos, we were directed to the enclosed porch where 4 large volumes of her pictures sat in loose leaf notebooks encased in plastic. When we expressed dismay at these not being on display, we were told that a grant was recently received and the supposed plan is to hang more of her photograph in the dining room. What a weird set up ! It's like going to the home of Van Gogh and having his paintings hung in some small secondary room, while a contemporary artist with no connection to him is highlighted.
And what was additionally offensive was to have one of the volunteers refer to Alice's lover of 50+ years as her "roommate".
Yes, this place is charming and historically important but Alice Austen gets a raw deal.
And what was additionally offensive was to have one of the volunteers refer to Alice's lover of 50+ years as her "roommate".
Yes, this place is charming and historically important but Alice Austen gets a raw deal.
Written August 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jude490
New York City, NY34 contributions
Aug 2017 • Friends
Our trip to this Staten Island Museum began with a wonderful, free ride on the Staten Island Ferry from the Whitehall Terminal in Manhattan to Staten Island. Four of us planned and looked forward to seeing Alice Austen's acclaimed photographs and the house in which she lived. As it turned out, the Ferry ride was the best part of the trip. Ms. Austen's photographs are not placed throughout the home but located in four volumes of books in a rear room. Other artists' works are in prominent positions on the walls. Many visitors entering the home asked why this was the case since we all came to see Austen's photography. In addition, the docents seemed uncomfortable with Ms. Austen's relationship with her lover, Gertrude, referred to as a "friend" or "roommate".
The grounds and the views are wonderful. However, we left with deep disappointment with the way Alice Austen's fabulous photographs are shown. She deserved more.
The grounds and the views are wonderful. However, we left with deep disappointment with the way Alice Austen's fabulous photographs are shown. She deserved more.
Written August 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peggy J
Staten Island, NY29 contributions
May 2015 • Family
You will love this quaint old house, very neatly maintained on a bluff overlooking the harbor in the shadow of the Verrazano Bridge. Learn about Alice Austen and her contributions to the Staten Island scene being one of the first female photographers to shoot the lifestyles of her time. She also started the first bicycle club on Staten Island. Great staff and very informed. The premises can also be rented for weddings and other occasions.
Written July 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
evefrSI
Staten Island, NY103 contributions
Jul 2013 • Friends
The Alice Austen House has been one of the top 5 attractions of mine on State Island. Located not far from Ft. Wadsworth, it was the home of photographer Alice Austen. From this house, you get magnificent views of the Verazzano Bridge and the Brooklyn shoreline. The grounds were nearly destroyed by Hurricane Sandy as the force of the tides and waves took our foliage and trees. The Staten Island Garden Club, which will celebrate its 100th Anniversary of existence, takes care of the site, planting and replanting trees and perennials. It has taken a long time to recover, but the results are there.
Written September 5, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jonathan W
Cambridge, Canada109 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
We took a day away from madly running about Manhattan's museums, art galleries, and theatres to drive out to the Alice Austen House, and it was a treat. The 17th century house in a parklike setting was also the family home of Alice Austen - a fantastic photographer in the late 19th and early 20th century. REALLY enjoyed our visit.
Written March 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Victoria C
Staten Island, NY275 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
Interesting place to visit bu the gardens are a big part and if you visit during bad weather, it takes away from the whole experience. Check the forecast before you plan to visit. You won't be sorry.
Written November 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Xrayrose
Scottsdale96 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
If you need Disney to be entertained this is not for you. If you love history and hearing about how we got from ‘the old days’ to now it’s right up your alley. Artisans would also love this stop. They show different artists in their gallery. The view and photo op for the narrows and the Verrazano Narrows Bridge is UNMATCHED from anywhere in the city. It is a public park so even after closing people can sit on the beautiful back lawn and watch the sunset. The view alone is worth the price of admission - $ 5.00. This place is about to become super popular get in before the mob. Anyone from western states will love the green, smell of the flowers and the on shore breezes.
Written July 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Esta casa está relacionada con Jane Austen, la escritora británica?
Written November 25, 2019
Is this within walking distance from the Staten Island Ferry? If no, then what mode of transportation do you recommend to get us there and back to ferry terminal please? Thank you in advance.
Written September 15, 2016
Hi, it is about 2.5 miles from the ferry terminal to the Alice Austen House.
You can take a public bus at the ferry terminal that will leave you about a block away from the house.
Hope this helps.
Written September 16, 2016
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