@forgottenborough: The New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden at Snug Harbor Cultural Center in New Brighton, Staten Island opened in 1999 as a symbol of cultural harmony and collaboration. One of only two authentic Chinese scholar’s gardens in the entire United States. The effort to bring a Chinese garden to New York City began in 1984 on the initiative of Frances Paulo Huber, then President of the Staten Island Botanical Garden. Materials were shipped to Staten Island in the spring of 1998, when a team of 40 Chinese artists and artisans from Suzhou constructed the garden. It opened in June 1999. It took a year of constructing the materials in Suzhou, China with a team of forty craftsmen and artists, then an additional six months of installation at Snug Harbor. No glue or nails were used in the construction. A sophisticated mortise-and-tenon system holds every wooden element together, as per Chinese tradition. Eight elegant pavilions, a bamboo-lined path, waterfalls, and koi ponds make up the garden. A dramatic 15-foot scholar’s rock formation rises over the central courtyard. The zigzag bridges were designed deliberately. Ancient philosophers believed the zigzag design would confuse wandering spirits. The upper pavilion’s mosaic blends broken rice bowls from China and broken beer bottles from America, placed there intentionally by the craftsmen as a symbol of unity between both cultures. Rock formations, a bamboo forest, and a waterfall are meant to inspire the same harmony and peace Confucian, Taoist and Buddhist scholars have sought in similar gardens over the centuries. $5 admission. Free for Staten Island residents on the first Friday of every month. Bring proof of address. Located at Snug Harbor Cultural Center, 1000 Richmond Terrace, New Brighton, Staten Island. #StatenIsland #ForgottenBorough #StatenIslandNY #SnugHarbor #chinesegarden

Forgotten Borough

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Monday 21 September 2026 21:52:55 GMT