Alice Austen House
2 Hylan Boulevard 
Staten Island, NY 10305 
(718) 816 4506
www.aliceausten.org/museum

Clear Comfort, originally a one-room farmhouse built around 1700, was transformed in the mid-1800's into a beautiful Carpenter Gothic cottage by businessman John Austen -- Alice Austen's grandfather. 

Though originally intended as a summer home, family tragedy prompted John to take up permanent residence there. Some ten years later, after being abandoned by her father, Alice Austen and her mother, Alice Cornell Austen, moved to Clear Comfort. 

Alice was an accomplished and prolific amateur photographer. At 10 years old, using a dry-plate camera brought from abroad by her uncle, Alice taught herself to operate the instrument, develop the heavy glass plates and make prints. 

Throughout her life's travels, she created some 8,000 images in a straightforward style that anticipated documentary photography. More than 3,000 of these images survive today, and selections are displayed in the house, now a National Historic Landmark.. 

Decorated much as it was in the late 1800's, including Alice's darkroom, the House offers educational Guided Tours for families and groups alike.