I kind of knew that going to Governors Island on opening weekend when the weather is 27 degrees would be a mistake – and it kind of was and it kind of wasn't. It was mobbed, there were rented-bicycle bells everywhere, and it was way too hot – but there was a hidden gem.
Governors Island, for anyone who doesn't know, was once a historic US Army barracks at the foot of Manhattan – all drilling grounds, parade grounds, canons and billets. It's quite fascinating from that perspective, although the leftover colonial-style houses are strange – it's like a little secret ghost town, with padlocked doors, empty verandas and boarded windows. Nowadays it's open to the public for the summer (they hold the amazing-looking Jazz Age lawn party there in June).
One house that wasn't padlocked (although I'm almost certain that it should have been, given the state of it) was the Commander's House – a huge sprawl of a crumbling mansion, with little hints of what it once was. It was fascinating to be able to have such a good look around, even if it wasn't actually permitted, strictly speaking. It felt strangely like a open house view, but without the purchasing option.
That's so amazing that the door was open! I've only been inside a few of them when they host art shows inside some of the houses, but they are in better shape. This is much more interesting.
ReplyDeleteIt was really weird & kind of voyeuristic! I guess it had just been left open by mistake as it was the first day. It was in pretty bad shape - on the lowest floor someone had let off a fire extinguisher so there was just powder everywhere - not that health and safety friendly!
DeleteThose interiors are fab. I visited the Island a few years ago but didn't get to see inside any of the houses, wish I had now!
ReplyDeletePenny Dreadful Vintage
The colours of the walls were so amazing - I hope one day to be brave enough to paint one room orange and the next turquoise! It was a proper treat to see inside.
DeleteWow, you should just move in. Looks like a real stunner.
ReplyDeleteHa! On a nice little island, right near New York? Yes please!
DeleteI sort of giggled when I read that 27 degrees is 'hot' - living in Western Australia, that's usually a 'cool' day for most of the year :)
ReplyDeleteIt's my dream to go to one of those Jazz Age lawn parties.
Also, can you imagine what you could do with such a house? What a lovely blank canvas. We can dream I suppose ...
I'm Scottish – 27 is the height of summer! (To be fair to my Scottishness, the humidity was 95% or something ridiculous, so in my lack of heat experience I might be confusing too hot with too humid!)
DeleteThe house was so full of possibilities, and it felt really quite sad just sitting there doing nothing.It was built for better things! I'd love to go to one of those parties too – I was so hoping that it and my visit would coincide, but alas no.
Beautiful. These photos remind me of the interiors featured in a book I have about big old Irish homes, except people still happily live in those homes, complete with peeling wallpaper and a bit of crumbling plaster. Adds character, in my opinion, as long as health and safety are not endangered.
ReplyDeleteOh that's so nice! I actually quite like an artfully crumbling wall – you're right, it does add character. So much better to be slightly crumbling and lived in than not at all, like this one.
DeleteOh wow - I'm delighted you went in even if you weren't supposed to. These images are divine. I love the stillness in them, especially knowing that it was busy outside!
ReplyDeleteI know - so unlike me really! It was so still and quiet in there - and such a respite from the crowds outside. Everything inside was kind of suspended in time; such a weird atmosphere.
DeleteWonderful insight, even more so as it was not intended to be seen. Jazz age lawn parties sound amazing.
ReplyDeleteThey really do – I'd love to go to one. The fact that it wasn't meant to be seen was quite refreshing actually, as virtually everything in New York is there to be seen by as many people as possible all the time.
DeleteWOW! I can only imagine the great stories that took place in this amazing house. And I kinda love the old blue wallpaper and the green tiles!
ReplyDeleteThe aesthetics of it were actually pretty timeless, I thought, which was interesting – I like the tiles too!
DeleteThe tiles, the stairs, the shelves...why does everything look so much better when it's older? I find it far easier to overlook flaws then (although even I couldn't overlook the serious case of corner mold in the blue wallpaper room).
ReplyDelete