Governors Island National Monument facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Governors Island National Monument |
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 Governors Island National Monument
Location in New York City
Governors Island National Monument
Location in New York
Governors Island National Monument
Location in the United States
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| Location | New York City, New York |
| Area | 22.78 acres (9.22 ha) |
| Created | January 19, 2001 |
| Visitors | 402,174 (in 2011) |
| Governing body | National Park Service |
| Website | Governors Island National Monument |
Governors Island National Monument is a special place in New York City. It's part of the U.S. national park system. This monument covers about 22 acres (89,000 m2) of Governors Island. The whole island is 172-acre (0.70 km2) big. It sits in New York Harbor, where the Hudson and East River meet, just south of Manhattan Island.
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Governors Island: From Military Base to Public Park
Governors Island has a long history. For many years, it was used by the U.S. military.
The Coast Guard Leaves the Island
In October 1995, the United States Coast Guard said they would close their biggest base on Governors Island. They did this to save money. The Coast Guard had been on the island since 1966. Before that, the United States Army used it as a post called Fort Jay since 1794.
The Coast Guard closed the base in 1996. They gave the island to the government's General Services Administration (GSA). The GSA's job was to sell or transfer the property. The Coast Guard saved about $30 million by closing the base.
Plans for Public Use
When the base closed, President Bill Clinton and New York Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan made a deal. They agreed to give the island to New York City and New York State for just $1. This would happen if a good plan for public use could be made.
At first, the city was not sure about taking the island. It would cost money to manage it. Then, in 1997, a new law said the GSA had to sell the island for its true value by 2002. This meant the government expected to get $500 million from the sale.
Creating the National Monument
The future of Governors Island was still unclear when President Clinton left office in January 2001.
President Clinton's Proclamation
To protect important parts of the island, President Clinton created the Governors Island National Monument. He did this on January 19, 2001, with a special order called Presidential Proclamation 7402. This order aimed to save the old forts, Fort Jay and Castle Williams. These are the oldest and most historic parts of the island.
President Bush's Decision
In April 2002, President George W. Bush met with New York officials. He announced that the island would be sold to New York City and State. It took several months to work out all the details.
On January 31, 2003, the island was officially transferred. A group called the National Trust for Historic Preservation helped with the process. They added rules to the deed to protect the land.
- About 22 acres (89,000 m2) of the island became the national monument. This part is managed by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
- The other 150 acres (0.61 km2) went to a group called The Trust for Governors Island. This group was formed by New York City and State. Their job is to manage and improve the rest of the island for public use.
On February 7, 2003, Presidential Proclamation 7647 officially confirmed the national monument.
Why Governors Island is Important
Both presidential orders said that Governors Island was important for protecting New York City from attacks by sea.
Historic Fortifications
Between 1806 and 1811, Castle Williams and Fort Jay were built. They were part of a system to protect the U.S. coast. These forts played key roles in the War of 1812, the Civil War, and both World Wars I and II.
The forts were built in the best defensive spots on the island.
- Fort Jay was built on the highest point. It was first built in the 1790s and rebuilt from 1806 to 1809. The land around it slopes down to the water.
- Castle Williams was started in 1807 and finished in 1811. It sits on a rocky area that reached into the harbor. This made it a very important defense point in New York Harbor.
A Military Headquarters
By the 1830s, the forts were not as important for defense. But the island became a small Army post. By the 1870s, it grew into a major headquarters for the United States Army. It stayed this way until the Army left in 1966.
The buildings around the two forts are now part of the Governors Island National Historic Landmark District. This area has over 60 buildings that show two centuries of military history.
Since the island was used by the Army and Coast Guard for nearly 200 years, it was a great chance for the public to learn. Visitors can now explore the harbor's history, its defenses, and its natural environment.
The island and monument have been open to the public during the summer since 2005. It has become very popular. In 2009, 275,000 people visited. By 2018, that number grew to 800,000 visitors.
Notes
Bibliography
See also
In Spanish: Monumento Nacional de Governors Island para niños
