Staten Island Car Rentals and Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art

The Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art is located on Lighthouse Hill in Egbertville in Staten Island. When you visit with your Staten Island car rental, you will find what is one of the most extensive collections of Himalayan artifacts in the country. It was created by Jacques Marchais, an American woman, who wanted to bridge the west with the traditions of Tibet and the Himalayan region. The house was built to resemble a rustic Himalayan monastery with extensive terraced gardens and a fish and lotus pond. It was visited by the Dalai Lama, who praised it in 1991. Marchais has never visited Tibet or the Himalayas, but had a strong interest in the region. The museum opened in 1947 and continues to promote awareness and preservation of the arts of the region.

What you will find

The Museum has a permanent collection that comes primarily from the private collection of Jacque Marchais. She collected these items during the early 1920s through the late 1940s, including sculptures, thangka paintings, ritual artifacts, musical instruments, and historic photographs of Tibet. The collection has cultural, historical, and aesthetic holdings from Tibet, but also those of spiritual significance to those who practice the living traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.

Plan your visit

The museum is open Wednesday to Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and students, and free for kids under 6. While you are here, you may also want to explore Historic Richmondtown and the Greenbelt Nature Center. There are also a number of other museums and cultural centers in the area that you can visit while you are here with your Staten Island car rental. They include the Alice Austen House, The Conference House, The Garibaldi-Meucci Museum, The Noble Maritime Museum, and the Staten Island Children's Museum.

Feel the vibe

Artists and musicians have been moving to Staten Island's North Shore to be close to Manhattan, yet have affordable places to live and work. The New York Times and NY1 News have featured some of the local artists here. Recently, film makers have started the Staten Island Film Festival, which is a four-day festival that began in 2006. There are also a number of museums that you can visit while you are here with your Staten Island car rental.

The Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art is a great place to start your day on Staten Island with your Staten Island car rental. You will find one of the most comprehensive collections of Himalayan art in the country here and you will be able to learn about their culture. Richmondtown is a great place to see on Staten Island, so come on over!

Check out the Brooklyn car rental All Car Rent a Car location at 1941 Utica Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11234