7.23.2010

Governor's Island

I spent some time out on Governor's Island today. I had never heard of the island before, but it is about a 5-7 min. ferry ride from lower Manhattan and had been used by the U.S. military and Coast Guard until 2003 when it became a National Monument. It has some interesting history and is home to Fort Jay and Castle Williams, both of which served various roles in the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, the Civil War, WWI and WWII. From the island you also get beautiful views of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Liberty Island, Ellis Island and New Jersey.

While I was on the island it started to rain and I captured a picture of these two Civil War soldiers (southern and northern soldier, respectively) waiting out the storm at Fort Jay together. I like the photo because the tour guide had told us how during the Civil War Fort Jay was used as a prison for southern officers. Many of the southern and northern officers were trained and went to school together and had become good friends, so the southern prisoners were allowed to roam the island and do as they pleased, as long as they gave their word that they would not leave. So, this photo isn't completely improbable- except that the southern soldier still has a gun :) Below is an officer's home in Nolan Park on the island.

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