 Fort Jay, New York City
Fort Jay is the oldest structure on Governors Island in New York Harbour. The original earthen fort was built before 1776. It was taken over by the British in that year. After peace was signed in 1783, the fort reverted back to American hands, and was completed in 1808. Its entrance gates dates from 1801. Within its walls were barracks erected in 1834, and family housing dating from 1930s to 1996. There are also cannons in Fort Jay dating to the American Civil War, around 1864.
Fort Jay was named after John Jay, one of the founding fathers of the United States. In 1808, when the reconstruction was completed, it was renamed Fort Columbus because at that time Jay lost favour among the public for helping to draft the peace treaty with Great Britain. It has since been named back to Fort Jay.
Getting there
Take the Governors Island Ferry from the Battery Maritime Building. There are also guided tours at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm seasonally.
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