Jacques Marchais Center of Tibetan Art
Also known as: Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art
Why it's listed
Perched on a steep slope of Lighthouse Hill in Staten Island, this complex was created by Jacques Marchais as a hillside retreat modeled on Himalayan mountaintop monasteries. Two flat-roofed fieldstone buildings, a library and a museum, are set into the slope below street level. They were laid up by local stonemason Joseph Primiano and have trapezoidal window surrounds, wood porches and a copper pagoda-style roof inspired by the Potala in Lhasa. Three stucco meditation cells and a terraced Samadhi Garden with stone walls, stairways and a lotus pond complete the design. Marchais built the garden in stages between 1921 and 1948 and filled the buildings with Tibetan and Himalayan art and a research library. The institution was incorporated as an educational organization in 1945. The nomination recognizes Marchais and the unusually intact site she designed. Her former house, now altered, is included but not considered contributing.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the site embodies the life work of Jacques Marchais, who built a monastery-inspired retreat for her collection of Tibetan and Himalayan art. It is listed for its association with her (Criterion B) and for its Himalayan-style architecture and landscape design (Criterion C). The buildings and garden retain a high degree of integrity from their 1948 peak.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 09000379, listed May 29, 2009. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 338 Lighthouse Ave., Staten Island |
|---|---|
| County | Staten Island |
| Listed | May 29, 2009 |
| Reference number | 09000379 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1921-1948 |
| Architect / builder | Marchais, Jacques; Primiano, Joseph (stonemason) |
| Architectural style | Other: Himalayan style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Art, Landscape Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The library and museum are in use as a museum with administrative offices and a gift shop. The meditation cells are deteriorated but contributing, and the buildings have suffered chronic moisture problems. The Marchais house is altered and non-contributing. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 40.57819, -74.13755 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 09000379.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q2740892
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.