Seguine Mansion, Staten Island

Staten Island has a rich history, one too often overlooked by those living in the other four boroughs of New York City. Few realize, for instance, that some of the city's first millionaires were actually oyster barons from Staten Island or that one of the city's first and most lucrative exports back to merry old England and the continent were its massive oysters. I'll let you read what others have said about the fascinating history of the mansion and the man who preserved it and has willed it to the city. My experiences have been with the beautiful grounds surrounding the mansion. Seguine Mansion has served as the halfway point and overnight camping site for two different SI kayak circumnavigations I've been on. This required special permission of the home's owner. Recounting my first of two visits: After a very late night-time arrival, the group landed its kayaks at the nearby marina along Lemon Creek (last natural salt marsh estuary in the city) and made the short hike up to the yard of the mansion with camping gear. Tents go up and most of us, very tired after many hours navigating the Kill Van Kull, Arthur Kill, Red Bank Reach and, finally, Princess Bay, collapsed into our tents and sleeping bags. The next morning I was awakened by the sound of horses galloping and neighing. Looking out my tent I see that beyond the yard's wooden fence is a beautiful open green field sloping gently southward to trees and beyond that the blue of Princess Bay and Raritan Bay. Right in front of me are two horses running free and playing in the field (it is the city parks department's only public stable and equestrian center). While I'm a native Southerner born and raised, I've lived in Hells Kitchen the last 20 years. This was an amazing way to awaken, no sounds of cabs or cars honking, just horses and----peacocks. Yes, the owner has a flock of peacocks. It is also a bit of a surreal place because walking out the front gate you see a very typical middle class suburban Staten Island neighborhood. You can, of course, get here by car or the Staten Island train + a walk. And I urge anyone that visits to walk over and see the deplorable state (as of this writing) of what is New York City's oldest standing home---at least some small part of it was built back in the late 1600s---a place most people have never heard of: the Manee-Seguine Homestead (I've had it added to Google Maps).

Ths Seguine Mansion, aka Twin Oaks Plantation, is a wonderful piece of local history. We love attending the seasonal parties.