(Governos’ Island free Ferry taking off from the Brooklyn Bridge station. 5 minute travel time.)
We have been living in NY for about 15 years and it was our first time to be visiting the Governor’s Island. First impression? It’s a beautiful shrine small island (4 mile long) with many more beautiful houses for governors in the past. Lawns, Trees, foot bridges and Bike lanes everywhere!
Typical scenery at Governor’s Island.
The Native Americans of the Manhattan region referred to the Island as Pagganck (“Nut Island”) after the Island’s plentiful hickory, oak and chestnut trees. Its location made the Island a perfect fishing camp for local tribes and many residents of the area used the Island seasonally. In June of 1637, Wouter Van Twiller, representative of Holland, purchased Governors Island from the Native Americans of Manahatas for two ax heads, a string of beads, and a handful of nails. Though he was a representative of the Dutch Government, Van Twiller purchased the Island for his private use. The Island, thereafter known as Noten Eylant orNutten Island, was confiscated by the Dutch Government a year later.
In 1664 the English captured New Amsterdam, renaming it New York, and took Nutten Island, which had been left unfortified by the Dutch. The Island, however, switched hands between the British and the Dutch over the next 10 years until the British regained exclusive control of the Island for the “benefit and accommodation of His Majesty’s Governors.” Although it was not officially named until 1784, it thus came to be called Governors Island. Read more at www.govisland.com/
So it makes perfect sense to hold this festival of Dutch design, fashion and architecture celebratibg 400 years of Dutch-American friendship in and around 11 former Officer’s’houses at Nolan Park, Governor’s Island. Now we are heading for Lunch first!!
Island’s bus.
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