Enduring Culture Spotlight: Staten Island Pride

Please join the Municipal Art Society of New York (MAS) and the Pride Center of Staten Island on Wednesday, June 4th at the Alice Austen House Museum from 10:00am-1:00 PM for an Enduring Culture Spotlight event.

This interactive event celebrates the queer histories of Staten Island, from the legacy of barrier-breaking photographer Alice Austen (1866-1952) to the stories of Staten Island’s LGBTQ+ communities today. Together, we will take a guided tour of the museum grounds using polaroid cameras to capture our identities and memories in relation to the space. Afterwards, we will share and reflect on how these photographs continue the long tradition of documenting personal histories to tell a broader story about community and place. Refreshments will be provided.

This event is part of MAS’ Enduring Culture Initiative, a multi-year effort that aims to expand New York City’s approach to preservation; to protect and celebrate more of the places, cultural activities, and histories that make our neighborhoods and communities unique.

Registration will open on Wednesday, May 14th at noon. Questions? Email us at events@mas.org.

Alice Austen House

The Alice Austen House and the surrounding waterfront park are a nationally designated site of LGBTQ+ history, centering on the 55-year relationship between Alice Austen and her life partner Gertrude Tate, by archiving more than 7,500 original prints and negatives that capture decades of life in Staten Island and abroad. Through their archive, gallery shows, and programming, the House provides a window into pre-Stonewall LGBTQ+ history and the life and work of Alice Austen. Learn more about the house here >

Pride Center of Staten Island

Founded in 2007, the Pride Center of Staten Island is dedicated to supporting the well-being of the thousands of LGBTQIA+ and allied communities across the borough. It provides a range of programs and services, including free health services like STI testing, community programming for both youth and elders, and social support groups. The center also advocates for LGBTQIA+ rights, educates and empowers individuals, and hosts the annual Staten Island Pride Festival to foster a strong sense of community. Learn more about the center here >

Enduring Culture is supported by the New York Community Trust and the Mellon Foundation.