Restoring Olmsted's Legacy for America250
Triple the Impact with Your Gift
Help Restore the Historic Wraparound Porch at the
Olmsted-Beil House – Staten Island, NY
Thanks to The Staten Island Foundation’s “Diamond Matching Grant,” Friends of Olmsted-Beil House is able to match donations, tripling new funds up to $50,000, equaling $150,000.
Funds providing a 2-for-1 match will be directed to restoration of the wraparound porch and will help support the growth of programs, infrastructure, and capacity needed to advance our mission.
The original wraparound porch was added to the 17th-century structure by Dr. Samuel Akerly. It was a prominent feature of the landscape during Frederick Law Olmsted’s time at the farmhouse (1848-1855) and was later replaced by Erastus Wiman in the 1880s. The distinctive wraparound porch is a vital historical and cultural element that reflects early American life, landscape design, and the enduring legacy of the father of American landscape architecture.
The restoration of the porch is an important phase of a comprehensive restoration and will allow the expansion of monthly outdoor programming at the site.
Turn One Dollar into Three Dollars with This Historic Match Campaign
The historic Olmsted-Beil House is undergoing a remarkable restoration by Connolly & Hickey Historical Architects, guided by a comprehensive preservation plan completed in 2024.The plan guides future preservation and repair work at the building, with priorities based on the site’s historical significance, evolution, and existing conditions. The Plan recommends, as the number one priority, the restoration of the house’s mid-19th century appearance, the time when Olmsted resided here. One of the house’s most iconic features is the wraparound porch.
Restoration of the porch is possible with your support and will be matched 2-to-1 by The Staten Island Foundation’s “Diamond Matching Campaign.”
Why This Porch Matters
Architectural Beauty
A defining feature of 19th-century farmhouses, the wraparound porch reflects the early design ideals that shaped Olmsted’s legacy.
Historic Vision
In 1847-1855, from this porch, Olmsted met and debated with influential friends. He called the surrounding site “Tosomock,” and from the porch, observed the landscape and plantings developed here as a product of his scientific farming. It was here that he formulated the ideas that inspired his groundbreaking work — including Central Park and park systems across America. As Justin Martin, author of the Olmsted biography Genius of Place: The Life of Frederick Law Olmsted (Da Capo Press, 2011), states, “Olmsted’s time on Staten Island was crucial, both in terms of what he learned as a farmer, and what he gained from his travels during that period.”
The porch also served a noteworthy role in the 1880s, when Canadian-American businessman Erastus Wiman transformed the Olmsted-Beil House into the “Woods of Arden Inn.” During Wiman’s time, visitors could dine on the porch while admiring the view of Raritan Bay. They could also watch Shakespearean plays from it, which were performed on the lawn.
DONATE NOW AND HELP BUILD OUR VIRTUAL PATH TO SUCCESS IN RESTORING THIS LANDMARK!!
Gateway to Education and Preservation
A restored porch will serve as a literal and symbolic platform for hosting events, historical tours, and educational programs to share Olmsted’s legacy with future generations. When restored, this porch will once again serve as a space for public tours, educational programs, and community events.
We need your help to realize this dream! Triple your gift today
Sending a Check? Here’s How:
If donating by check, you may use the “Triple My Donation” button and indicate your intent to mail a check, or simply send your check to: Friends of Olmsted-Beil House, PO Box 120095, Staten Island, NY 10312. Please write “Diamond Matching Grant” in the memo line.
A Special Thank You for Your Support
Donors contributing $500 or more will receive an exclusive invitation to our Garden Party Celebration at the historic Olmsted-Beil House Park in Summer 2026.
“There’s a great work wants doing … let’s off jacket and go about it.” Frederick Law Olmsted (July 1847)
Friends of Olmsted-Beil House is a recipient of the Diamond Matching Grant Program, an initiative of The Staten Island Foundation.
We extend our deep appreciation for this opportunity.