Governors Island is a small island off the southern tip of Manhattan in New York City. The island has a long and varied history, dating back to the 1600s when it was first used as a Dutch colonial settlement. In the centuries that followed, the island changed hands numerous times, serving as a military base, a quarantine station, and even a dumping ground for trash. In 1996, the island was finally turned over to the people of New York City and has since been redeveloped into a beautiful public park. In this video, we’ll take a look at the history of Governors Island and how it came to be the place it is today.
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IT’S HISTORY – Weekly tales of American Urban Decay as presented by your host Ryan Socash.
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Scriptwriter – Brandon Evans,
Editor – Sebastian Ripoll,
Host – Ryan Socash
» SOURCES
“Basic Information.” National Parks Service. U.S. Department of the Interior. Accessed August 7, 2022. https://www.nps.gov/gois/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm.
“A Brief History of Governors Island.” National Parks Service. U.S. Department of the Interior. Accessed August 7, 2022. https://www.nps.gov/gois/learn/historyculture/a-brief-history-of-governors-island.htm.
Carmel, Julia. “A Night on Governors Island? Be Prepared to Spend for It.” The New York Times. The New York Times, June 11, 2022. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/11/nyregion/governors-island.html.
“Governors Island (EN-US).” Governors Island (en-US). Accessed August 7, 2022. https://www.govisland.com/.
“Governors Island National Monument (U.S. National Park Service).” National Parks Service. U.S. Department of the Interior. Accessed August 7, 2022. https://www.nps.gov/gois/index.htm.
Greenspan, Jesse. “The Dutch Surrender New Netherland.” History.com. A&E Television Networks, September 8, 2014. https://www.history.com/news/the-dutch-surrender-new-netherland-350-years-ago#:~:text=The%20Dutch%20gave%20up%20the%20colony%20without%20a%20fight.&text=The%20breaking%20point%20came%20in,were%20then%20technically%20at%20peace.
“The History of Governors Island.” Governors Island (en-US). Accessed August 7, 2022. https://www.govisland.com/history.
» NOTICE
Some images may be used for illustrative purposes only – always reflecting the accurate time frame and content. Events of factual error / mispronounced word/spelling mistakes – retractions will be published in this section.
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More to the story here, it's a star fort.
Ryan, you always do such a nice job! Thank you and keep up the good work!
Baloney! This by its title is fake history, although it does cover it quite well. Just don’t hook me yeah! I could actually like something
Can you find a picture that has just trees on Government Island? You can't, there are not any. Not because of the age of the structures on the island, nope, there has always been structures there since we came over.
This video is clickbait. It says it’s a “secret government” island, but I’ve literally been there countless times? It’s not some government base or anything, it’s like a tourist destination.
I wonder why they haven't refurbished many of the older buildings into apartments? People would pay millions to live out there
us isn't independent – they still pay tax to the evil royals in britain
Those silly Liberty Mutual Insurance commercials with Lady Liberty in the background across the bay to the West are supposed to appear to be shot at Picnic Point.
Yes, one can declare a victor in the revolutionary war, the US got their freedom, that is the victory despite the worthy sacrifices of those who paid the ultimate price. Before people pile on, I have a DD214 and understand what sacrifices are.
I worked on a NOAA buoy tender call M/V Ferrell and we use to go to Governor's island all the time. There's nothing 'secret' about it.
"EAST"? of Brooklyn?????
Hardly a secret…. had an uncle that worked there for the USCG…long ago.. You did an excellent overview of the military history, and the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 etc etc…Well done.
Unified American culture? Seriously though
I too, was fortunate to have spent 9 weeks of my life on the island in 1974 attending the USCG ATON (Aids to Navigation) school and the cheese pizza served from the ferry terminal was the best I've ever had. 😉
It also is one of USA military defense Zones, it is equipped with defense mechanisms and assault capabilities.
Our son was born in the hospital there in 1959.
I was an Army "Brat" in the 60s and my father was assigned to HQ, First Army. I have many fond memories of GI and the many friends I made among other "Brats". All the High School students took the GI Ferry to Manhattan then the Staten Island Ferry to Curtis High School on SI. I was generally a "good boy", but I will now admit that I was one of the Island "gang" who occasionally stuffed the barrel of the evening salute gun with feathers and golf balls and hide my smile as feathers filled the air and golf balls sprayed NYC harbor.
New York City could
build low – income and
homeless housing on
GI and clean up the streets
of Manhattan instead of
just letting it serve as a
tourist attraction.
There are already some
buildings that could be
used there and high-rise
apartment buildings could
be built.
Even the forgotten borough Staten Island is of Revolutionary War importance. On the southern end of Staten Island (which is also the southernmost point of New York state) is a very interesting spot called the Conference House. It was the site of the failed Staten Island Peace Conference where Ben Franklin, John Adams, and Admiral Lord Howe met to discuss a peaceful end for the Revolutionary War on September 11, 1776 (coincidence? I think NOT). Because Lord Howe didn't have the power to recognize the colonies' independence (since he is not the king), the conference failed after just THREE HOURS and the British resumed their military campaign to control the city. Which of course, prompted the Continental Army to continue on the fight for the greater good.
The Lenape: We call this island Paggank
The Dutch: Got it! So we'll call it Noten Eylandt
British colonials: Hehe, Nutten Island
British governors: …we should change this before it gets out of hand.
This island would make a prime location for a secret headquarters of ours to watch Americans and promote Juche ideals
One thing that was left out of your presentation is Governors Island was used in the days following 9/11 I know because I was on state active duty with the New York guard New York states a defense force working side by side with the Army National Guard at the time the National Guard would go to Governors Island in the days after 9/11 and from there they would go wherever they were sent it was not made common knowledge at the time because technically we were at war as a Sergeant in the state defense force New York guard I can safely say without fear of contradiction Governors Island played a pivotal role in the very immediate days after September 11 2001
No, it doesn't. It's a PARK!!!!
What was protected in the War of 1812? The USA invaded British North America – "a matter of marching"…
One day a trillionaire will buy the Island and develope it into a golf resort and homes for billionaires only!
Yaaaa I found a good history Channel to replace that other one that was becoming too woke and put stupid disclaimers in their videos.
Yeah, disclaimers in a history podcast
Secret? … how many views?…….click bait?….
Thank you for sharing.
I grew up on Governors Island. Moved off the base back in 1990. ( pop retired ).
Moved to Staten Island. Now I’m upstate NY.
Went back to the base last year with my spouse for a visit. Major changes everywhere!!!
I’ve always said, if I could go back I would in a heart beat. The best place growing up as a child!
I was Stationed there in 1977/78 when it was the USCG Training Center
EAST of Brooklyn? EAST?
NYC should move all the illegal migrants arriving via buses to Governors Island! Many buildings still there to convert to housing instead of stuffing the migrants in fancy tiny Hotels with million dollar views in tiny Manhattan island which is one of the most densely populated areas in the world!! Yes??
While in the US Coast Guard, during the early 80's late 70's I attended many different training classes. All the technical training schools were eventually relocated to California. I have many happy memories of my time there. I'm an avid bicyclist, and enjoyed riding the circuit around the island. The big controversy involving Burger King moving onto the island. Had a bird's eye view of the spectacular fireworks display during the Brooklyn Bridge's centennial celebration. Many snowball fights with the kids from the elementary school located across the street from the barracks. Waking up to the spectacular view of the Statue of Liberty. So many memories.
As a NYC Resident that work just a few blocks and 1 ferry ride away from the Island, it truly is an amazing place to get away from the noisy city but not too far away.
Plenty of event occur here –
Roaring 20s Era events
Halloween Events
Food Cart Events
Etc.
Plenty of stuff to do here for all ages.