EVENT: Open House NY at Governors Island
Governors Island is part of the city-wide “Open House” this Saturday and Sunday, October 7 and 8. While the regular open season ended early last month, these are two additional days with additional hours. The island will be open for everyone from 10 to 4 (see ferry schedule below) and it’s all free except what you get in the gift shop or the candy machine. If you plan to stay for several hours – which we recommend because it’s a great time of year to go out there – bring a picnic lunch, because there is only limited food service.
Rangers for the National Park Service, which owns the two forts on the island, and GIPEC staff and volunteers – that’s the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation, which owns the rest – will offer a variety of tours and programs. Visitors can also tour on their own. There will be limited access to some of the Island’s historic properties.
Volunteers are needed for weekend duty. If you are available, sign up at [email protected]
Volunteer assignments include:
+ Posting at a historic building. This will make it possible for more buildings to be open for the public to see.
+ Manning the check-in table at the Battery Maritime Building
+ Serving as sweepers on guided tours. (Sweepers hang back at the end of the group to make sure no one gets lost.)
The ferry leaves from the Battery Maritime Building at the southern tip of Manhattan, the big greenish building next to the Staten Island ferry. The first trip outbound this weekend will be at 10, with departures every hour on the hour after that. The last one out will be at 2. Return trips leave the Island on the half hour, from 10:30 through 2:30, then at 3:15 and 4. The 4 o’clock run is the last one.
Additional information can be found on www.govisland.com — GIPEC’s website – or by calling the information line at 212-440-2202.