Discover Billiou Stillwell Perine House: A Hidden Gem

Have you ever wondered about the oldest buildings in New York? While most people think of Manhattan’s towering skyscrapers or Brooklyn’s brownstones, there’s a remarkable treasure hiding in plain sight on Staten Island. The Billiou Stillwell Perine House stands as a silent witness to over 360 years of American history, making it the oldest surviving building on Staten Island and one of the oldest in all of New York State.

Imagine walking through rooms where colonists once gathered, where families lived through the American Revolution, and where the very foundations of New York were laid stone by stone.

Most New Yorkers have never heard of this house architectural marvel, which makes it all the more special for those who discover it. The Billiou Stillwell Perine House offers you a rare glimpse into colonial life that you won’t find in any history textbook. It’s time to uncover this hidden gem and explore why it deserves a place on your must-visit list.

Historical Background of the Billiou Stillwell Perine House

The Founding Story: Pierre Billiou’s Dream

The story of the Billiou Stillwell Perine House begins with courage and determination. Around 1662-1663, a French Huguenot named Pierre Billiou built this stone house as a sanctuary for his family. He wasn’t just constructing a home – he was establishing roots in a new world after fleeing religious persecution in Europe.

Pierre Billiou was among the brave settlers who founded Oude Dorp, meaning “Old Town” in Dutch. This became Staten Island’s first permanent European settlement. Can you imagine the challenges these early colonists faced? They had to clear dense forests, negotiate with Native Americans, and build everything from scratch in an unfamiliar land.

The location wasn’t chosen randomly. The settlers picked this spot because it offered fresh water from nearby springs and fertile soil for farming. They also had access to the Arthur Kill waterway, which connected them to other settlements and trade routes.

The Stillwell Era: Expansion and Growth

Around 1680, the property changed hands when Thomas Stillwell acquired it. The Stillwells weren’t just any family – they were community leaders who shaped Staten Island’s early development. Thomas served as the local Constable and even represented Staten Island in the colonial Assembly.

Under Stillwell ownership, the house grew significantly. They added new sections, expanding the original stone structure to accommodate their growing family and social status. Each addition tells its own story through different building techniques and materials.

The Stillwells lived through dramatic times. When the English took control of New Netherland in 1664, renaming it New York, the family had to adapt to new laws, customs, and governance. Yet they thrived, becoming influential members of the English colonial society while maintaining ties to their Dutch heritage.

The Perine Family Legacy

By the mid-18th century, the property passed to the Perine family, who would own it for over 150 years. The Perines witnessed the American Revolution from their doorstep. Like many Staten Island families, they faced difficult choices during the war, as the island remained under British control while patriot sentiment grew around them.

The house saw both British and American soldiers during the Revolutionary War. Family stories passed down through generations tell of hidden valuables, secret meetings, and the constant fear of raids. The Perines had to navigate these dangerous times carefully, protecting their property and family while political loyalties divided neighbors.

Generations of Change

Throughout its history, the Billiou Stillwell Perine House adapted to changing times. What started as a simple stone house dwelling evolved into a complex structure reflecting different architectural periods and family needs. Each generation left its mark:

• The original Billiou section remains the heart of the house, with its thick stone walls and Dutch colonial features
• The Stillwell additions show English influence creeping into the design
• Later, Perine modifications reflect Georgian and Federal Style elements

The families who lived here weren’t just passive observers of history. They participated in local government, operated farms, engaged in trade, and raised children who would spread across America. Their house became a cornerstone of Staten Island’s development from a rural outpost to a thriving community.

Architectural Significance and Features

Understanding Dutch Colonial Architecture

When you first see the Billiou Stillwell Perine House, you’re looking at a prime example of Dutch Colonial architecture. But what makes this Style so special? Dutch colonists brought building techniques from their homeland, adapting them to New World materials and conditions.

The most striking feature is the steep, shingled roof. This wasn’t just for looks – the sharp angle helped snow slide off during harsh winters and provided extra living space in the attic. The Dutch were practical builders who made every design choice count.

The stone construction sets this house apart from later wooden structures. Early colonists used local fieldstone, carefully fitted together with mortar made from crushed oyster shells and sand. These walls have survived hurricanes, nor’easters, and centuries of weather because of this solid construction method.

Unique Architectural Elements

Step inside the Billiou Stillwell Perine House, and you’ll discover features that transport you back in time:

The Jambless Fireplace

One of the house’s most remarkable features is its massive jambless fireplace. Unlike modern fireplaces with defined sides, this ancient design features an enormous stone hearth that dominates the main room. The opening is so large that colonists could practically walk into it! They cooked meals, heated the house, and even smoked meats in this versatile space.

Exposed Ceiling Beams

Look up, and you’ll see massive wooden beams spanning the ceiling. These aren’t decorative – they’re the actual structural supports, hewn from single trees using only hand tools. The craftsmanship is extraordinary, with joints fitted so precisely they’ve held firm for centuries without nails.

Wide Plank Flooring

The original sections feature wide plank wood floors, some boards measuring over a foot across. These came from old-growth trees that no longer exist in the region. Walking on these floors, you can feel the slight unevenness worn by countless footsteps over the centuries.

A Timeline Written in Architecture

What makes the Billiou Stillwell Perine House truly fascinating is how you can read its history through its architecture. The building is like a three-dimensional timeline:

Period, Architectural Features, Historical Context

1660s (Billiou) Stone walls, steep Dutch roof, jambless fireplace , Dutch colonial period, New Netherland

1680s (Stillwell) English-style additions, larger windows. Transition to English rule

1700s-1800s (Perine) Georgian elements, refined interior details , American colonial and early republic

1900s Preservation efforts, structural reinforcements , Historical recognition, and protection

Contrasting Styles Tell Stories

As you explore the house, you’ll notice contrasting roof heights and pitches. These aren’t mistakes – they’re evidence of the building’s evolution. The original Dutch section has that characteristic steep slope, while later additions feature gentler English-style rooflines.

The windows tell their own story. The oldest section has small, deep-set windows designed for defense and insulation. Later additions feature larger, more numerous windows reflecting increased security and changing aesthetic preferences. Some windows still contain hand-blown glass with telltale bubbles and waves.

Different building materials mark different eras, too. The original stone section contrasts with later wooden additions. Some sections use Dutch-style clapboard siding, while others show English weatherboard patterns. Even the mortar between stones varies, showing repairs and modifications across the centuries.

Cultural and Social History Embedded in the House

Witness to Major Historical Events

The Billiou Stillwell Perine House didn’t just shelter families – it stood at the crossroads of American history. When the English fleet sailed into New York Harbor in 1664 to claim New Netherland, the residents of this house watched their Dutch colonial world transform overnight into an English possession.

During the American Revolution, Staten Island became a Loyalist stronghold. British forces occupied the island for nearly the entire war, making it their primary base in the New York region. The families living in the house had to navigate dangerous political waters. Some supported independence quietly, while others remained loyal to the Crown, creating tensions that split families and communities.

The house witnessed troop movements, military encampments, and the constant threat of raids. British officers likely visited the house, and American spies may have gathered intelligence from conversations overheard within its walls. Every creak of the floorboards could have meant danger during those turbulent years.

Community Leadership Through the Centuries

The families who owned the Billiou Stillwell Perine House weren’t ordinary colonists – they were community leaders who shaped Staten Island’s development. Thomas Stillwell’s role as Constable meant he enforced colonial laws, settled disputes, and maintained order in the growing settlement.

As an Assembly member, Stillwell traveled to New York City to represent Staten Island’s interests. He advocated for better roads, fair taxation, and protection from Native American raids. His decisions in that colonial legislature affected every resident of Staten Island.

The house served as an informal meeting place where neighbors gathered to discuss community issues. Important decisions about local governance, church affairs, and defense strategies were likely debated around the massive fireplace. In an era before town halls and community centers, prominent homes like this one served as centers of civic life.

Stories of the Enslaved

Historical records reveal a darker chapter in the house’s history – the presence of enslaved people. Like many prosperous colonial families, the Stillwells and Perines relied on enslaved labor to maintain their property and agricultural operations.

Archives mention several enslaved individuals by name, though their full stories remain largely untold. These men and women worked the surrounding farmland, maintained the house, cooked meals, and cared for children. They lived in quarters that no longer exist, their contributions essential yet unacknowledged for centuries.

Recent historical research has begun uncovering these hidden stories. Archaeologists have found artifacts suggesting the daily lives of the enslaved – broken pottery, tools, and personal items that hint at their experiences. These discoveries remind us that the house’s history includes not just the prominent families but also those whose voices were silenced.

From Farmland to Urban Neighborhood

The transformation of the area around the Billiou Stillwell Perine House mirrors Staten Island’s evolution. What began as isolated farmland in the 1660s gradually became a connected community. Early residents cleared forests, established orchards, and planted crops that fed not just their families but the growing population of New York.

By the 1800s, improved roads connected the house to Staten Island’s developing towns. The Richmond Turnpike, now Richmond Road, brought increased traffic past the property. Neighbors built new homes nearby, creating a proper neighborhood where once stood only scattered farmsteads.

The industrial age brought factories, railroads, and suburban development to Staten Island. The pastoral landscape that Pierre Billiou knew disappeared beneath streets and buildings. Yet somehow, the house survived when countless other colonial structures fell to ruin. Its persistence makes it an even more precious link to the past.

Preservation and Present-Day Status

The Fight to Save History

By the early 1900s, the Billiou Stillwell Perine House faced an uncertain future. Development pressures threatened to demolish this irreplaceable piece of history. Fortunately, a group of history-minded citizens recognized its importance and took action.

In 1915, the newly formed Staten Island Antiquarian Society acquired the property. These preservationists understood that without intervention, Staten Island would lose its oldest building and with it, a tangible connection to its colonial past. Their foresight saved the house for future generations.

The preservation effort gained momentum when the Staten Island Antiquarian Society merged with the Staten Island Historical Society in 1922. This larger organization had more resources to maintain and protect the structure. They began the slow, careful work of documenting the house’s history and stabilizing its aging structure.

Official Recognition and Protection

The house’s historical significance earned official recognition in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1967, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission designated it as an official city landmark. This designation provided legal protection against demolition or inappropriate alterations.

National recognition followed in 1976 when the house was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This federal listing acknowledged its importance not just to Staten Island or New York, but to the entire nation’s heritage. The house joined an elite group of structures deemed worthy of preservation for future Americans.

These designations brought both benefits and responsibilities. They attracted funding for preservation work but also required that any changes respect the building’s historical integrity. Every repair, from replacing a roof shingle to repointing stone walls, had to follow strict guidelines.

Modern Preservation Challenges

Maintaining a 360-year-old building presents unique challenges. Recent preservation efforts have focused on the most critical needs:

Roof Restoration

The house’s multiple rooflines, built at different times with different materials, created complex waterproofing challenges. Water infiltration threatened to damage the historic wooden beams and interior features. A comprehensive roof restoration project addressed these issues while maintaining the building’s historic appearance.

Structural Assessments

Engineers conducted detailed assessments of the house’s structural integrity. They discovered that despite its age, the original stone walls remained remarkably sound. However, some wooden elements required reinforcement or replacement with historically appropriate materials.

Environmental Controls

Modern preservation includes protecting the house from environmental damage. This means controlling humidity to prevent mold, monitoring for insect damage, and ensuring proper ventilation. These invisible preservation efforts are just as important as the visible repairs.

Educational Mission

Today, Historic Richmond Town manages the Billiou Stillwell Perine House as part of its living history museum. The organization uses the house for educational programs that bring colonial history to life for students and visitors.

Special programs allow visitors to experience colonial cooking demonstrations at the massive fireplace. Costumed interpreters explain daily life in the 1600s and 1700s, using the house’s authentic features to illustrate their stories. These programs transform dusty history into vivid, memorable experiences.

The house also serves researchers studying colonial architecture and early American history. Its well-preserved features provide invaluable information about building techniques, family life, and social customs of the colonial period. Every beam, stone, and floorboard offers clues about the past.

Limited but Meaningful Access

Due to its age and fragility, the Billiou Stillwell Perine House isn’t open for daily tours like some historic sites. Instead, Historic Richmond Town offers access through:

• Special appointment tours for researchers and serious history enthusiasts
• Scheduled open house events during heritage celebrations
• Educational programs for school groups and historical societies
• Virtual tours and documentation for those unable to visit in person

This limited access helps preserve the house while still fulfilling its educational mission. Every visitor who enters understands they’re experiencing something rare and precious – a direct connection to America’s colonial beginnings.

Visiting and Experiencing the Billiou Stillwell Perine House Today

Finding Your Way to History

The Billiou Stillwell Perine House stands at 1476 Richmond Road on Staten Island, just a short distance from Historic Richmond Town’s main visitor center. Getting there is easier than you might think, whether you’re coming from within New York City or beyond.

If you’re driving, take the Staten Island Expressway to Richmond Road and follow the signs to Historic Richmond Town. There’s parking available nearby, and the house is just a short walk from the main parking area. For those using public transportation, several bus routes stop near Historic Richmond Town, making it accessible even without a car.

The house sits on its original foundation, though the neighborhood around it has changed dramatically. Modern Richmond Road follows roughly the same path as the colonial-era road that once connected scattered farmsteads. As you approach, you’ll notice how the house seems to exist in its own timeless bubble, surrounded by later development.

Planning Your Visit

Since the Billiou Stillwell Perine House isn’t open for regular daily tours, planning ahead is essential. Here’s how to make the most of your visit:

Check the Historic Richmond Town website for upcoming open house dates. These special events often coincide with:

• Colonial heritage weekends
• Architectural tour series
• Halloween and harvest celebrations
• Holiday candlelight tours

Make appointments for private tours if you’re a researcher, student, or history enthusiast with specific interests. The staff appreciates visitors who come prepared with questions and genuine curiosity about the house’s history.

Join a guided tour group when available. Knowledgeable docents bring the house to life with stories and historical context you won’t find in books. They can point out architectural details you might miss on your own and answer questions about colonial life.

What You’ll Experience Inside

Stepping through the doorway of the Billiou Stillwell Perine House feels like traveling through time. The first thing you’ll notice is the temperature – those thick stone walls keep the interior cool in summer and retain heat in winter, just as they did centuries ago.

The main room, dominated by that enormous jambless fireplace, immediately transports you to the colonial era. You can almost smell the wood smoke and cooking food that once filled this space. Docents often demonstrate colonial cooking techniques, showing how families prepared meals using only the fireplace and simple tools.

Moving through the house, you’ll see how different sections reflect different periods. The contrast between the original Dutch colonial rooms and later English-influenced additions helps you understand how architecture evolved with changing cultural influences. Original wide-plank floors creak under your feet, each sound a reminder of the countless people who’ve walked these same boards.

Making Your Visit Meaningful

To truly appreciate the Billiou Stillwell Perine House, come prepared to engage with its history:

Ask questions about the families who lived here. What was daily life like? How did they heat the house in winter? Where did they get their water? The more you ask, the more you’ll learn.

Take time to observe details. Notice the hand-forged hardware on doors, the irregular glass in windows, and the tool marks on wooden beams. These small details tell big stories about colonial craftsmanship and daily life.

Bring children if you can. Kids often ask the best questions and see things adults miss. The house offers a tangible way to make history real for young people who might otherwise find colonial history abstract and boring.

Support preservation efforts through donations or membership in Historic Richmond Town. Every contribution helps maintain this irreplaceable structure for future generations.

Photography and Documentation

While flash photography is usually prohibited to protect historic materials, you can often take non-flash photos during open houses. These images become valuable personal connections to history and great ways to share your experience with others.

Consider documenting your visit through:

• Sketches of architectural details
• Written notes about stories the docents share
• Questions for further research
• Comparisons with other historic houses you’ve visited

Why the Billiou Stillwell Perine House is a Hidden Gem

A Rare Survivor

In a city where colonial-era buildings have largely vanished beneath waves of development, the Billiou Stillwell Perine House stands as an extraordinary survivor. Consider this: when Pierre Billiou built this house, New York City was still New Amsterdam, a small Dutch trading post. The house has outlasted empires, witnessed the birth of a nation, and survived into the digital age.

What makes its survival even more remarkable is its continuous occupation. This wasn’t a building abandoned and later restored – families lived here continuously for over 250 years. Each generation maintained and adapted the structure, creating an unbroken chain of history from the 1660s to the 1900s.

The house represents something scarce: an authentic Dutch colonial structure with its original stone walls, timber framing, and spatial configuration largely intact. While other cities might have colonial-era buildings, few can claim a structure this old, this complete, and this historically significant.

Hidden in Plain Sight

Despite its incredible historical importance, the Billiou Stillwell Perine House remains largely unknown even to many New Yorkers. While tourists flock to more famous landmarks like the Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island, this colonial treasure sits quietly on Richmond Road, passed daily by thousands who are unaware of its significance.

This obscurity is part of what makes it special. When you visit, you won’t fight crowds or wait in long lines. You’ll have the opportunity for intimate encounters with history, asking questions and exploring details that would be impossible at busier sites. The house offers a personal, almost private glimpse into the colonial past.

The hidden nature of the house also means it’s retained more authenticity. Without the pressure to accommodate massive tourist crowds, preservationists have been able to maintain the building’s integrity rather than modernizing it for visitor convenience. What you see is remarkably close to what colonists saw centuries ago.

Unique Historical Insights

The Billiou Stillwell Perine House offers historical insights you won’t find anywhere else in New York. Through this one building, you can trace:

The transition from Dutch to English rule – visible in the architecture and documented in the families’ adaptations to changing governments.

The evolution of colonial society, from frontier settlement to established community, is reflected in the house’s expansions and improvements.

The complexities of Revolutionary-era loyalties – Staten Island’s unique position as a Loyalist stronghold, while surrounding areas supported independence.

The persistence of colonial traditions – how Dutch building techniques and cultural practices survived long after Dutch political control ended.

A Different Kind of Historic Site

Unlike reconstructed historic villages or heavily restored landmarks, the Billiou Stillwell Perine House offers authenticity. These are the actual stones Pierre Billiou laid, the genuine beams Thomas Stillwell raised, the original floors the Perine family walked. This isn’t history interpreted through reconstruction – it’s history you can touch.

The house also tells a more complete story than many historic sites. It’s not just about famous figures or dramatic events, but about ordinary families living through extraordinary times. Their stories of adaptation, survival, and continuity resonate with modern visitors facing their own changing world.

Conclusion: Embracing History Through the Billiou Stillwell Perine House

A Living Connection to Our Past

The Billiou Stillwell Perine House is more than just old stones and timber – it’s a bridge across centuries, connecting us directly to the people who built America’s foundations. When you stand in its rooms, you’re not just learning about history; you’re standing where history happened. The same walls that sheltered colonial families from winter storms now shelter their stories for future generations.

This remarkable building reminds us that history isn’t just about famous names and significant battles. It’s about families seeking religious freedom, communities building new lives in unfamiliar lands, and neighbors working together to create something lasting. The house embodies the determination, craftsmanship, and vision of ordinary people who did extraordinary things.

Every beam, stone, and floorboard in the Billiou Stillwell Perine House carries stories. From Pierre Billiou’s courage in starting fresh in a new world to the Perine family’s careful stewardship through changing centuries, these stories inspire us to value our own heritage and preserve it for those who come after us.

Your Role in Preserving History

Historic sites like the Billiou Stillwell Perine House can’t survive without community support. Here’s how you can help ensure this treasure remains for future generations:

Visit and learn – Plan a trip to Historic Richmond Town and experience the house firsthand. Your admission fees and donations directly support preservation efforts.

Share the story – Tell friends and family about this hidden gem. Post on social media about your visit. The more people who know about the house, the stronger its support network becomes.

Support preservation – Consider becoming a member of Historic Richmond Town or making a donation specifically for the house’s maintenance. Every contribution, no matter how small, helps preserve this irreplaceable structure.

Advocate for history – When local development threatens historic sites, speak up. Attend community meetings, write to elected officials, and remind others that once these buildings are gone, they’re gone forever.

Discovering More Hidden Gems

The Billiou Stillwell Perine House proves that incredible historical treasures hide in unexpected places. Staten Island alone has dozens of historic sites waiting to be discovered. Each tells a unique story about America’s development from colonial outpost to modern nation.

Start exploring your own neighborhood’s history. You might be surprised to find:

• Colonial-era houses hiding behind modern facades
• Historic cemeteries with stories written in stone
• Forgotten landmarks with connections to significant historical events
• Archaeological sites revealing prehistoric settlements

The joy of discovering these hidden gems lies not just in finding them, but in understanding their stories and sharing them with others. Every historic site you visit, every tale you learn, adds another piece to your understanding of how we became who we are today.

A Final Invitation

The Billiou Stillwell Perine House waits patiently on Richmond Road, just as it has for over 360 years. It doesn’t demand attention with flashy signs or tourist attractions. Instead, it offers something far more valuable – an authentic connection to America’s colonial past and the people who lived it.

Whether you’re a history buff, an architecture enthusiast, or simply someone curious about the past, this hidden gem deserves a place on your must-visit list. Take the time to discover it, to walk through its ancient doorway, and to stand where colonists once stood. Let its stories become part of your story.

The house has survived Dutch rule, English conquest, revolution, and centuries of change. Now it needs people like you to ensure it survives for future generations. Visit, learn, share, and support this remarkable piece of living history. The Billiou Stillwell Perine House has been keeping its stories safe for over three centuries – isn’t it time you heard them for yourself?

Where Does Billiou Stillwell Perine Currently Live?

Billiou Stillwell Perine does not currently live at a private residence; the name refers to a historic family associated with the Billiou–Stillwell–Perine House, which is a Dutch Colonial structure and the oldest standing building on Staten Island, New York, located at 1476 Richmond Road. This house was built starting around 1662 by Pierre Billiou and subsequently expanded and inhabited by the Stillwell and Perine families over the centuries. The house is now owned by Historic Richmond Town, maintained as a historic site, and open occasionally to the public, but it is not a private residence. The descendants of Pierre Billiou, who is historically connected to the house, live under a modern surname (Bilyeu) in states like Tennessee, Louisiana, Missouri, and Oklahoma—not at the original house.