Governors Island National Monument, New York

Castle William, Governors Island National Monument, New York
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Castle_Williams_SIF_jeh.JPG
Author: Jim.henderson


Governors Island National Monument is a historic site off the southern tip of Manhattan, New York City. It covers 22 acres (89,000 sq m) of the 172-acre Governors Island, at the confluence of the Hudson and East Rivers, in New York Harbor.

Governors Island had a for the US Army at Fort Jay, which they occupied from 1794 until 1965. It served as an outpost to defend New York City against any attacked approaching from the sea. Fort Jay and Castle William are fortifications on Governors Island erected for this purpose.

Land-side view of Castle William, Governors Island
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Castle_Williams_land_side_jeh.JPG
Author: Jim.henderson


After the army vacated the island, it was taken over by the US Coast Guard, which managed a facility there until October 1995, when they too had to pull out as a cost-savings measure.

With the closure of the Coast Guard base, President Bill Clinton and New York Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan had an informal agreement to transfer the island to the city and state of New York, for a token sum of $1.00, so that it could be redeveloped for public benefit. On 19 January, 2001, as he was about to leave office with no resolution of the island's future in hand, President Clinton established the Governors Island National Monument. In-coming President George W Bush pointed out technical errors in the proclamation, but did not revoke or invalidate it.

Governors Island, view of Manhattan
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:GovernorsIsland_behnke_crop.jpg
Author: Fbehnke

Visiting Governors Island National Monument, New York

To reach Governors Island, take the Governors Island Ferry at the Battery Maritime Building in Lower Manhattan.

At time of writing (March 2011), the Governors Island National Monument is closed for upgrading. It will re-open in mid-May, 2011. Call (212) 825-3045 for more information.

 Latest updates on Penang Travel Tips