Welcome to Broadway Stages’ Business Spotlight, where we feature local shops, restaurants and venues in the communities where we have operations. We encourage our readers to join us in supporting these establishments and local economic growth.

Living in the city during the pandemic has been stifling. With many businesses closed and most day-to-day activities relegated to our homes, it’s easy to experience cabin fever. We hope to bring some relief with this week’s Business Spotlight, Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden located on the North Shore of Staten Island.

Established over 180 years ago as a retirement home for “…aged, decrepit, and worn-out- sailors,” the property has seen over two centuries of updates and evolution. The retirement home was eventually moved to North Carolina and in the early 1970’s the property was purchased by the city of New York with the objective of transforming it into a public cultural resource. In 1975 the not-for-profit Snug Harbor Cultural Center was formed to operate the buildings, and the Staten Island Botanical Gardens managed the gardens. The two organizations merged in 2008 to form Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden.

Today, Snug Harbor is a place where history, architecture, the arts, gardens, agriculture, and education come together and provide dynamic experiences for all ages. It is one of the largest ongoing adaptive reuse projects in America and is one of New York City’s unique architectural complexes and historic landscapes. It’s also home to the Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art, Snug Harbor Artist Residency Program (SHARP), Staten Island Museum, Staten Island Children’s Museum, the Noble Maritime Collection, an Art Lab, Children’s Harbor Montessori School, and Staten Island Conservatory of Music.

While the Cultural Center’s indoor facilities are currently closed due to COVID-19, the main outdoor areas are open and operating at normal hours for socially distant strolls and reflection. Best of all, the main campus is free to enter and pets are allowed! Also, until the end of the month, Snug Harbor will be hosting The Landfill Fashionista: Outdoor Art Exhibition, a free event that highlights the importance of environment and culture in this region. If you aren’t able to attend, we encourage you to check out their YouTube channel for virtual tours, and activities for kids.

Like many other businesses and institutions, the Cultural Center has felt the strains of the pandemic. We encourage you to consider a donation that will not only help maintain this urban oasis, but also support young artists and urban farmers who are part of the Snug Harbor community. If this sounds like a much-needed breath of fresh air, then grab your mask and head out to Snug Harbor for a relaxing day by the water! Be sure to tell them that Broadway Stages sent you.