Dutch: Governor's Island

I recently went to Governor’s Island for a big music festival and later for a meeting. Governor’s Island is historically significant because it was the landing place of the first thirty settling families of New Netherland. New Netherland was a 17th Century colony that was established and managed by the Dutch West India Company to exploit the North American fur trade.

In 1633 the fifth director of New Netherland arrived with a 104 men regiment, using Governor’s Island as a military base for the first time. On April 9th 1776, during the Revolutionary War, Continental Army general Israel Putnam fortified the island with earthworks and 40 cannons in preparation for the highly anticipated Battle of Long Island. The island and it’s fortifications were instrumental in discouraging British commanders from entering the East River.

 

 After the war, ongoing conflicts with France prompted the federal government to further reinforce harbor fortifications. The island underwent reconstruction of many of it’s fortifications and had two new fortifications built. The most interesting of which was Castle Williams, a pioneering new fortification design that could project a 220 degree circular arc of cannon fire from three levels and a roof.

From 1783 to 1966 the island was a U.S. Army post. From 1966 to 1996 it served as a major U.S. Coast Guard installation. And it currently is a national historic landmark with various parts open to the public. Throughout the year, a number of music festivals and large outdoor events are held on Governor’s Island. It is accessible by free ferries from Brooklyn and Manhattan.


By: Evan Huang in response to Old Dutch NY