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Governors Island History Essay

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The Hidden History of Governors Island
Situated like an emerald amongst the blue waters of New York Harbor, Governors Island is a place rich with history that dates back hundreds of years. Off limits to the public for generations, the island has become much more accessible in recent years and is now visited by hundreds of thousands annually. Despite its newfound popularity among New Yorkers and visitors alike, few people truly know the hidden history of Governors Island.
Originally inhabited by the indigenous Lenape Native Americans, the island was rechristened Noten Eylant, or the “Island of Nuts” due to its wealth of chestnut, oak and hickory trees by Dutch explorer Adriaen Block. In May 1624, the island became the landing site for Dutch …show more content…

The United States Army, which had controlled the island for years, ceded control to the United States Coast Guard in 1966 before closing its bases on the island down in 1996. However, the island was named a National Monument by President Clinton in 2001 shortly before he left office and was transferred to the City and State of New York in 2003 for a nominal fee of $1.00 with the intention of ultimately redeveloping it for the public.
Governors Island was finally opened up for public usage in 2003 after being off limits for centuries while plans were drawn up in 2007 for the island’s full redevelopment. Since then, the redevelopment has rolled out in several phases and has been widely praised by critics and the public alike. Today, the island offers tours of its historical landmarks as well as concerts, art displays and other cultural events.
Once forbidden to the public, the Governors Island of today welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. Throughout its long and interesting history as both a military base and public park, the island has continued to play a key role in New York City’s history and will continue to do so for years to

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