Governors Island

Governors Island with rolling green hills and waterfront views of the southern tip of Manhattan is a magical escape from the fast pace of New York City.  Now it is a hop, skip or two minute Ferry Boat ride from either downtown Manhattan or from the Brooklyn side where the new waterfront-Brooklyn Bridge Park has recently been built.

Last weekend there was a Ragtime Jazz Festival with Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra that brought the Charleston dance to life with free lessons by Roddy Caravella, as well as, many fashioned in high-couture from the roaring 1920’s – 30’s flapper era. Ice cream vendors, and bicycles built for two with side-by-side peddling that allowed you to venture the little island with it’s graceful charm of old houses and army barracks history.  

While the prohibition was reaching what was the end of an era it seamlessly began another with the Great Gatsby Affair.  The Jazz Age Lawn Party ignited a memorable essence with music and vendors inspiring nostalgia that brought memories from a period that I can only imagine; as I would hear my grandmother tell tales of prohibition with speakeasies, glamour, and gangsters where even the average citizen broke the law.

Secrete hide-away places where those that dared went to drink, dance and found cheers; that is exactly what Governors Island suggests a historical hideway with faded paint and fond memories from the past, tall trees swaying in the breeze signifying an enchanted adventure of earlier days including spectacular views for photo opportunities with boats setting sail, city skyscrapers and the Fortress better known as Castle Williams which began construction in 1807- 1811 and later became a prison.

An interesting fact is it was constructed to maintain boarder safety with walls eight feet at the base and 78 embrasures (slanted openings for guns) never was  a weapon actually fired.