Claire

Field report: Nolan Park Goes Gray

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Claire

Like many greats before her, Nolan Park’s brown is going grey. As part of a massive roofing project, aimed at replacing aged roofs on historic buildings, the shingle roofs on Nolan Park houses are being replaced. The roofs on these charming buildings have been replaced many times in their approximately 150 years. This time, the brown shingles are being replaced by gray that correspond to the other building in the historic district. Check out all the new roofs when you come to visit this summer.

Old brown roof on the right, new gray on the left.

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Island Archives: Looking over the island one more time.

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Claire

Our final view of Governors Island looks north across the rooftops of Nolan Park. At the end of the row, you can see a new roof being added to Building 20-constructed in 1902. This spring, Building 20 will receive yet another new roof along with all its neighbors is Nolan Park.

Image Courtesy of the National Park Service

For those of you with ample screen space, please click on the image to enjoy the full panorama below.

Image Courtesy of the National Park Service

Filed under: Governors Island 101, History | Tagged: architecture, governors island, New York City, New York Harbor | 1 Comment »

Island Archives: Looking over the Island, again.

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Claire

Are you just joining us on our aerial tour of Governors Island in 1938? Here we are given a view of the Parade Grounds and the back of Colonels Row from the top of St. Cornelius Chapel, built in 1905. Note that the quadrangle in Ft. Jay was painted white (or pale yellow) like most of the oldest brick buildings on Governors Island. The 16th infantry is in review on the Parade Grounds, watched by a small crowd of onlookers and, tennis courts are in the foreground. Nice island!

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Island Archives: Looking over the Island

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Claire

We’ve been having lots of fun updating you on what is underway and coming up on Governors Island. As a change of pace, we thought we’d have a visit from Island Archives and share a great panorama of the island from 1938. The image is in three parts so stay tuned for further views. Here, you can see the southern end of the historic district with views of Liggett Hall and down onto the fairly empty landfill. Lots of early WWI storage facilities were already torn down while the building boom of the early Coast Guard years was still three decades away. In the foreground you can see a row of barracks and a playground long gone.

Photo Courtesy of the National Park Service.
Annotation on the image are from the original.

Filed under: Governors Island 101, History | Tagged: governors island, history, New York City | Leave a Comment »

Field Report: Getting All Charged Up On G.I.

Posted on October 30, 2012 by Claire

While the surface of G.I. is transforming with the new park and public spaces, underneath we’re equally busy. We’ve brought 27 KV of power to the Island from Brooklyn (enough for a small city) and we’re almost finished testing all the island’s electrical systems to prepare for repair and replacement-probably over 5 miles of new cable! We looking forward to seeing you soon….we’ll keep the lights on for ya.

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Field Report: And She’s Off….

Posted on October 16, 2012 by Claire

We recently let you know that our lift bridges are undergoing major overhaul. Thought you might like to see our East lift bridge setting out on the way to the yard where it will re rehabilitated like new. Bon Voyage, see you later this year.

Dock without a lift bridge.

Lift bridge being tugged away.

Filed under: Construction | Tagged: governors island | Leave a Comment »

Field Report: The Bridges of Governors Island

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Claire

Governors Island is served by four lift bridges, two at the Battery Maritime Building in Manhattan and two on Governors Island. All the bridges are being replaced with shiny new ones ready for all current and future Island users. We’re half way there! The newly rehabilitated west bridge and approach platform are ready for passengers, cars and trucks. The partner east bridge won’t be far behind.

: Meanwhile, over at the BMB, a new lift bridge was installed at Slip 7, complete with a truck scale so we can keep an eye on loads coming to the Island. A new Slip 6 is on the horizon as well….

Filed under: Construction, Uncategorized, What's New? | Tagged: Construction, development, governors island | 2 Comments »

Island Archives: Island Cuisine

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Claire

Next season on Governors Island visitors will enjoy an array of tasty food choices, but good eating has a long history on the island. During the Coast Guard period, upwards of 5,000 people a day could be found living and/or working on the island. Among them was a group called the “Enlisted Mens Wives Club.” One of their projects was a comprehensive cookbook of favorite recipes from the islands chefs.

The menus are varied and diverse from “Drunk Meatballs” to bagels to “Banana Breeze Pie.” The book also includes some cooking basics and conversion charts for new cooks and charmingly illustrated chapter breaks.

If Cabbage Soup isn’t your thing, perhaps a nice hash?

The cookbook even provides ideas for the weight conscious.

If you see anything that looks good, go ahead, cook it up and let us know what you think!

Filed under: Governors Island 101, History | Tagged: Coast Guard, governors island, history | 4 Comments »

Working Day & Night at Soissons Dock

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Claire

The only vehicular ferry landing on Governors Island is undergoing a dramatic rehabilitation. The transfer bridges (the moving ramps which allows vehicles and pedestrians to embark and disembark the G.I. ferry) are being rehabilitated along with the piles which support them. In addition, the fender racks, those large wooden arms reaching out into the harbor, are being rehabilitated with help from funding from the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA). Island operations continue throughout the project since there are two slips and rehabilitation will take place on one side and then the other. In order to catch the right tides for barge work and keep us moving, workers have been at it even on chilly winter evenings.

Barge Crane in the West Slip

On into the night....

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Island Archives: A Look at Governors Island’s Picturesque Past

Posted on October 7, 2010 by Claire

Oldies But Goodies

As the 2010 season on Governors Island draws to a close, it is fun to look back at all the events and activities that this summer brought. While on the Island, have you ever paused to wonder how it would have been to spend a day recreating on Governors Island 100 years ago? Despite being a hard working Army headquarters, recreation did occur. Wonder no more, the following illustrates Governors Island’s lengthy history of fun!

Governors Island garden parties then.