Alice Austen House Museum

Staten Island, NY

The Alice Austen House (AAH) is a National Historic Landmark on Staten Island, New York, preserving the Victorian-era home of photographer Alice Austen (1866–1952), one of America's earliest documentary photographers. Friends of Alice Austen House operates the site as a museum dedicated to Austen's life and work, presenting exhibitions, education programs, and community events that explore photography, LGBTQ+ history, and social justice. The 1690 Dutch farmhouse, set on the shores of New York Harbor, requires careful stewardship to balance historic preservation with contemporary programming needs.

An FCI Scoping Grant will support an assessment of building envelope, HVAC, lighting, and temperature controls at the historic site, guiding reductions in carbon footprint while preserving the National Landmark structure. The study will provide a roadmap for future capital improvements that reduce energy use and emissions while maintaining the environmental conditions necessary to protect Austen's photographic archive.