New York Farm ColonyMore Found Art on Staten Island, Festering 🏚️ -

Though I found myself again at Staten Island’s most dynamic photo stop, The New York Farm Colony, first a visit to the barely accessible remains of the infamous Willowbrook State School. Since 1993, many of the former buildings of this disgraced state school for the physically and mentally disabled are part of the College of Staten Island‘s campus. And since the campus is secured due to COVID-19, with a sleepy campus security vehicle situated in the middle of the parking lot, we couldn’t sneak in to capture exterior shots of the buildings. But we were able to see Buildings 25, 27 and 29 on 3rd Avenue off D street while checking out the fence situation. We were ready to plead our want to simply walk the Willowbrook Mile with our pooch! The trail weaves through the former campus of Willowbrook and contains informative plaques, “reflective stations.” Because you have to force some people to feel.

“To honor those who struggled here on the grounds of the old Willowbrook Institution. We preserve this former building number in their respectful remembrance.” Building 29.

Building 27, all cheerful and Dr. Suess-looking.

Structurally unsound. But I’d take the risk. What a few square miles this area is… Seaview, the tuberculosis sanatorium (though now developed); The New York Farm Colony, a city poorhouse; and Willowbrook State School.

With a quick google search, I couldn’t find the function of any of these buildings. But it is an on-going hunt, and this just a preliminary visit.

Building 25.

Richmondtown for a quick meander, but way too crowded (i.e. more than 2 other people)

And finally, some more time in New York Farm Colony. This time with a fearless nature girl who grew up roaming the forests of rural Pennsylvania. This place is a wholly different place when visited with company. And a wholly different place, again, based on who that company is. That’s why I keep coming back!

In me and Knuckles go!

We spent a good amount of time in this very precarious structure. With the roof collapsed and haphazard beams resting on rusting and weathered structures, it is a wonder that more people don’t hurt themselves on these grounds, an assumption I make based on the relative ease of access of the grounds.