Governors Island: The Importance Of The Governor's Island

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Governor’s Island is located at the southern tip of Manhattan, at the meeting of the Hudson and East Rivers in New York Harbor. The island is significant for its role as a main factor in the defense system of New York Harbor. The island contains fortifications from an important period of American military construction such as the Caste Williams and Fort Jay. These fortifications were among the best examples of defensive structures. The island also served as a major military post and a costal guard station. The island wasn’t noticed by many New Yorkers it used to be a mystery for most observers, this was because of the landscape dominated by the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island two other important historic landmarks in the United States. …show more content…

The island had a great quantity of oak, hickory, and chestnut trees, leading the Lenape to call the island Paggank or ‘Nut Island’ ”. (Klinkenborg 2010). The island became known for these resources, especially around the 1600’s. In 1637 the Dutch bought the island from the Lenape Native American for only a couple of nails, bead and ax heads, and this island was their first trading colony settlement before moving to Manhattan. In 1664 “The British captured New Netherland, including Nutten Island, renaming it New York” (Yocum 2005). The island was a private place for governors it was used for the accommodation of the governors. Governors Island was under control of the British when the Revolutionary War occurred this is when they started constructing Fort Jay. Even though British had control of Governors Island, in 1776 George Washington wanted the island to be fortified with earthworks before the Battle of …show more content…

With free ferry service to the island on weekends, bicycles rentals, art exhibitions, food festivals, music and other cultural programs.”(Foderaro, 2012). Governors Island has been renovated a couple of years ago where 30 acres of new gardens, lawns, play areas and baseball fields were placed. In a recent article by Mena Report they informed readers that J.P Morgan employees partnered with GrowNYC to help build an urban farm where NYC school children will learn about nutrition. Visitors today still view Governors Island as a historic site in the history of the United States but they use Governors Island for different reasons such as recreational use in viewed more as a park. People go there for things like playing golf, bike rides around the island, playing baseball in the fields, sightseeing and visiting the two fortifications; Fort Jay and Caste

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