Governors Island National Monument

Governors Island is located in Inner New York Harbor just a short ferry ride from Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. The Island’s incredible assemblage of historic buildings and military structures – including the National Monument comprised of Fort Jay and Castle Williams – make it a touchstone for understanding our nation’s past. These structures were built right after the American Revolution, with Fort Jay serving as military barracks and Castle Williams as a prison. The recent transfer of the Island from the Federal Government to the State/City Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation and the National Park Service has provided the first public access to the Island in over two hundred years and a singular opportunity to incorporate an island that few people know into the public life of New Yorkers and the nation.

Lord Cultural Resources assisted the National Park Service and the Governors Island Alliance in developing a long-term vision for the National Monument. We explored the range of options for promoting access and developing programming that will attract both residents and tourists to the Island. This work resulted in three distinct concepts that will be put forth for public comment with the NPS General Management Plan.

“By helping the National Park Service refine and illustrate its draft management alternatives for Governors Island National Monument, Lord Cultural Resources ensured that these conceptual proposals met both the mandate of the Monument as well as New York market realities.  Their broad knowledge of the cultural programming in New York and internationally, and their personal contacts with leading experts, ensured that our workshop and the resulting report were successful.”

Robert Pirani, Director Environmental Programs, Regional Plan Association