Burning of the Quarantine and the Aftermath 

The events and reasons for the burning of the Quarantine Station and how New York State dealt with immigration and public health defense.

Do you want to know the rest of the story? A year ago Dr. Robert Marraccino and Dr. Michael Vigorito spoke to us about the Quarantine which stood on the present site of the National Lighthouse Museum.

In the 1850's there was imagined infectious clouds (miasmas) of disease billowing over the walls of the Quarantine, and murdering nearby residents. This fixed in Staten Island residents minds that the government was imposing a death sentence without due process.  Frustration with the State Legislature led prominent Staten Islanders to lead a riot, and burn the Quarantine in 1856, but not solve the problem. As the Irish immigration from Europe swelled to become 25% of the total NYC population and commerce with the new country exploded, outbreaks did not go away. A remedy was sought in the ashes of Quarantine.

Dr. Marraccino and Dr. Vigorito will back on Sunday, October 22nd to speak to us of the aftermath. Tickets are $10 for guests and Museum members are free. Light refreshments will be served.