STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Police are investigating after a building that is more than 250 years old was burglarized at Historic Richmond Town.

Security has been enhanced since Voorlezer’s House on Arthur Kill Road was targeted two nights in a row, according to Jessica Phillips, executive director and CEO of the living-history village.

Predating the Declaration of Independence that founded our nation, the farmhouse was built around 1769 and replaced an earlier structure dated circa 1695 that served as a religious center for a Dutch Reformed congregation, a school and a home for the Voorlezer family.

The initial attempt to enter the historic home occurred overnight and was discovered on the morning of May 7, according to Phillips.

“The first night they threw a small boulder [about the size of a very large watermelon] through the only window without a shutter on the ground floor,” Phillips said. “They couldn’t get in at that time because the window was jagged due to the security bars soldered onto the frame.”

The broken window was removed by Historic Richmond Town “in order to painstakingly restore it to the 1700s accuracy,” Phillips said.

The window was boarded in an attempt to secure the building. The next night, one or more individuals allegedly removed the board, according to Phillips.

“Upon investigation, someone had entered through the window and taken a few items and moved some things around,” Phillips said of the heist that was noticed on May 8.

“Nothing of historical value was stolen,” Phillips said, adding that the burglar allegedly pilfered “just a few reproduction items used to help show school kids how school houses functioned in the 1700s.”

A source with knowledge of the investigation corroborated Phillips’ account, adding the reproduction coins were valued at about $50.

No arrests have been made, a description is not available for the suspect, and the investigation continues, according to a spokesperson for the NYPD’s Deputy Commissioner of Public Information.

As a result of these burglaries, Historic Richmond Town has added lights around the building, doubled nightly patrols and secured the window in a way to prevent any tampering, Phillips said.

A major security upgrade is in the works for Historic Richmond Town using money provided by the City Council.

“Thanks to our local Council members, there is a fully funded capital project for security cameras and lights throughout the 35 acres of the historic museum village campus,” Phillips said. “This project, managed by the (city) Department of Cultural Affairs, has been made a priority by the agency as of last year when there was other vandalism and break-ins. We hope to break ground soon.”

The original structure, built by the Dutch Reformed congregation as a religious facility and home for the Voorlezer family, was razed in the 1760s.

The current farmhouse was constructed and occupied by members of the Rezeau family for more than 100 years after their French-Huguenot ancestors escaped persecution in their native country.

Maura Grunlund