The Alice Austen House is the home of a photographer named Alice Austen. She was one of the first photographic journalists, and she used her work to show her beliefs. This site carries a national designation for LGBTQ+ history; however, this part of her legacy has been overlooked and even hidden in the past.

• Alice Austen lived here with her partner, Gertrude Tate, for 30 years until they lost the house in 1945.

• Alice got her first camera at age 14.

• Her family lost their wealth during the stock market crash.

• The house became a museum in 1985.

• Her work was not recognized until the end of her life.

• Her pug was the first of its breed in the United States. 

• The house, called Clear Comfort, was built in the 1690s.

  •  The Austen family moved into the house in 1850.

• Alice's photographs documented New York's immigrant populations, Victorian women's social activities, and the natural and architectural world of her travels.

Photo Gallery

Student Quotes

• "We were able to take home a picture and there is so much information on how she paved the way for women " --Lee

• "Alice Austen represents...how photography changed over hundreds of years. Now we all have a camera in our pockets; hers was 50 pounds. I enjoyed getting to see all of the photos she has taken over the years." --Matthew