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Schedule For World War 1 Day, Governors Island Sept. 17
A platoon of living history reenactors will bring World War I Doughboys to Governors Island National Monument on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, for a free exhibition. See demonstrations and hear stories as reenactors portray famous New York regiments, including the Harlem Hell Fighters, at Doughboy Day at Fort Jay. The centennial of American involvement in the “Great War” is in 2017 and this group of volunteer reenactors will share the story of U.S. participation. Both men and women will be in full uniform and provide displays and talks about the role America played in World War I. It is free and suitable for all ages. Participants: Long Island Living History…
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Doughboy Day at Fort Jay Brings WW1 Living History
A platoon of living history reenactors will bring World War I Doughboys to Governors Island National Monument on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, for a free exhibition. See demonstrations and hear stories as reenactors portray famous New York regiments, including the Harlem Hell Fighters, at Doughboy Day at Fort Jay. The centennial of American involvement in the “Great War” is in 2017 and this group of volunteer reenactors will share the story of U.S. participation. Both men and women will be in full uniform and provide displays and talks about the role America played in World War I. It is free and suitable for all ages. Participants: Long Island Living History…
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Aug. 6 Storytellers & History Day, Book Signing at Brooklyn ARTery
This summer is the 50th anniversary of the Army turning Governors Island over to the Coast Guard, and the 20th anniversary of the Coast Guard announcing that it too was leaving the Island. Governors Island opened to the public in 2003. Brooklyn ARTery has invited former service member residents and author of The Governors Island Explorer’s Guide, Kevin Fitzpatrick, for a series of free events: Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016, from 11:30-5:30pm, Governors Island, Nolan Park, Building 10B Panel Discussion/ Q and A with Former GI residents, Service Members and Coast Guard “brats” MC’d by Kevin Fitzpatrick: Hear what life was like when Governors Island was an Army and Coast Guard…
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Rangers Expand Hours, Offer Foreign Language Tours
Yesterday the Governors Island National Monument announced it has expanded hours and offers foreign language tours on the Island. The updated calendar runs through Sunday, August 14. Weekdays * Castle Williams Bookstore open 11 AM until 4:30 PM * Going Around Castle Williams every hour at 11:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM, 3:30 PM, and 4:30 PM (Courtyard open 11 AM until 5 PM) * Fort Jay: Eagles, Townhouses and Big Guns at 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 3:30 PM * Kid’s Program at 11:30 AM (Call 212.825.3045 or email for reservations) Saturday-Sunday * NEW! Castle Williams Bookstore open 11 AM until 5:30 PM * Going Around Castle…
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Weekly Walking Tours Begin July 7
To answer the demand for walking tours, they are going to be held weekly in July and August this summer. Beginning July 7, they will be given every Thursday at 11:30 AM. To attend, you should take the 10:00 or 11:00 AM ferry. Advance tickets are on sale via FareHarbor.com and are recommended, as the tours do sell out. The two-hour walking tour will focus on the three hundred years of island history. Learn about the people and stories that shaped Governors Island. Stops explore the military life, Civil War and World War I events, aviation pioneers, and even where the tiny railroad once ran. The tour is led by…
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Brooklyn Ferry Service Expanded
It is is a story we have been tracking for quite awhile: the ferry service to Brooklyn. On the eve of the fourteenth public season on the Island, good news was delivered today by the Trust For Governors Island. Opening weekend will have more ferries: Expanded ferry service from Brooklyn this summer! On opening weekend, ferries will run every half hour between Brooklyn and Governors Island from Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Half hour service will run on Saturday, May 28, Sunday May 29 and Monday May 30. Funding for additional ferry service has been provided by Council Member Brad Lander. Find the full ferry schedule here.
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#SaveOurEagle Campaign Launches at Fort Jay
Following up on what we wrote about last week during the restoration work of the eagle sculpture at Fort Jay, comes word that the National Park Service is taking the fundraising public. The Governors Island National Monument is now in a competition with other national parks across the nation to try and get a piece of the $2 million pie to bring the sculpture back to its former glory. The eagle needs help. Yesterday the Friends of Governors Island announced that they are backing the effort: The sandstone eagle sculpture atop Fort Jay’s monumental arch on Governors Island is a one-of-a-kind national treasure and work of art, but two centuries…
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Geocaching Comes to Governors Island
Ready to explore 200 years of Island history? Join geocache fans and search for hidden caches stashed across Governors Island! On Sunday, May 29, pickup the free geocache clue sheet at the ferry landing welcome sign Friends of Governors Island tent (or log on to geocaching.com) and start your adventure. From one end of the Island to the other are caches that explore the history of the Island. When you find the cache, sign the logbook and return it to the cache. To participate all you need is a smartphone or handheld GPS device. The geocaching tour is created by The Governors Island Explorer’s Guide, the new guidebook from Globe…
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Book Signing at Castle Williams May 28-29
I am signing copies of my new book The Governors Island Explorer’s Guide (Globe Pequot Press) on Saturday and Sunday, May 28 and 29, from 11 AM to Noon both days. The location is a national historic landmark, a city landmark: Castle Williams on Governors Island. The fort is part of the Governors Island National Monument and is run by the National Park Service. The rangers have free tours of Castle Williams. I’ll be in the courtyard on opening weekend of Governors Island. Immediately following the book signings I’m leading free walking tours of the Island, starting at Soissons Dock, where the Manhattan ferry comes lands, at 12:15. By purchasing…
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City of Water Day Returns July 16
The ninth annual City of Water Day will return to Governors Island on July 16, 10 AM to 4 PM. Those with human-powered boats and kayaks are invited to paddle to the Island; for those without boats free rowing, kayaking, and paddle-boarding will be offered. The highlight of the day is the Cardboard Kayak Race on the water. The event is also held in Hoboken at Maxwell Place Park and neighborhood locations around New York Harbor. The events are sponsored by the Waterfront Alliance, working to revitalize the harbor and waterfront. The Waterfront Alliance’s City of Water Day is a free, family-oriented celebration of the world-class potential of the New…
