November 24, 2009
Nov-Dec HarborSides 2009
Harbor Sides is a bimonthly compilation of park happenings and story ideas from the National Parks of New York Harbor. A new edition will be posted the first full week of May, July, September, November, January and March at http://www.nps.gov/npnh/parknews/index.htm. Just click on Harbor Sides to access the list. You will also be able to peruse past issues of Harbor Sides there.
For more information about individual stories, contact Mindi Rambo at (212) 668-2208 unless otherwise indicated.
November 20, 2009
Public Invited to Provide Input on the Future of African Burial Ground National Monument
The National Park Service (NPS) invites members of the public to a series of four Open Houses that are part of the General Management Plan (GMP) process for the African Burial Ground National Monument. Once complete, the GMP will guide how this sacred site in downtown Manhattan will educate and inspire people around the world during the next 20 years
November 03, 2009
Removal of Sunken Ferry from Ellis Island Slip Under Way
On Oct. 26, the removal of the sunken ferryboat “Ellis Island” began at Ellis Island. Built in 1904, the ferryboat served the station for 50 years. However, her usefulness came to an end after Ellis Island closed in November 1954, and she made her last journey on November 29. Unfortunately, the ferry sank in her berth during a storm in August 1968 before she could be preserved. The removal process, including dredging of the ferry slip at Ellis Island, is scheduled to be complete around mid-December.
October 19, 2009
Fort Hancock Rehabilitation Agreement Terminated
Philadelphia – National Park Service (NPS) Northeast Regional Director Dennis R. Reidenbach today announced that an independent third party has concluded its final review of the financing commitments submitted by Sandy Hook Partners, LLC (SHP) for the rehabilitation of historic Fort Hancock at Sandy Hook. Based on its review of all the information submitted, the independent third party reviewer, Maurice Robinson and Associates LLC, has determined that the financing commitments made by SHP are insufficient to meet the purposes and requirements of the lease.
Based on this determination, the NPS has notified Sandy Hook Partners President James S. Wassel that the lease is null and void.
September 29, 2009
Memory and the Captive Passage at African Burial Ground
African Burial Ground presents “Memory and the Captive Passage”
New York, NY – Unlike many exhibitions that focus on the brutalities of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, “Memory and the Captive Passage delves into the spiritual nature of the Africans, their traditions and how their way of life sustained them in America and, for some, their home in New York City.
September 10, 2009
Statue of Libery and Ellis Island Hold First Public Night Tours
New York, NY (September 9, 2009) – To kick-off the National Park Service
and the National Park Foundation’s celebration of the national parks on
September 26 -- National Public Lands Day -- the Statue of Liberty National
Monument and Ellis Island will for the first time, open to the public for a
special evening tour and program event on September 24 and 25, 2009. As part of the festivities, attendees will experience a sneak preview of Ken
Burns’s new documentary The National Parks: America’s Best Idea premiering
on PBS the following evening.
July 22, 2009
Federal Hall Extends Hours in August
The site of the original capital of the United States, Federal Hall National Memorial will open seven days a week from Aug.1 through Aug. 31 as part of a special set of exhibits and activities.
July 17, 2009
Harbor Sides: July and August 2009
Harbor Sides is a bimonthly compilation of park happenings and story ideas from the National Parks of New York Harbor. A new edition will be posted the first full week of May, July, September, November, January and March at http://www.nps.gov/npnh/parknews/index.htm. Just click on Harbor Sides to access the list. You will also be able to peruse past issues of Harbor Sides there.
For more information about individual stories, contact Mindi Rambo at (212) 668-2208 unless otherwise indicated.
July 02, 2009
Lady Liberty Finds Her Voice on Twitter, Flickr and Virtual Tour
She may be 123 years old but don't ever say Lady Liberty isn't 'with it' when it comes to staying on top of new ways to communicate with her fans. Admirers of the Statue of Liberty can see a whole new side of her on Twitter, Flickr and at www.nps.gov/stli
June 26, 2009
Luchsinger Named Superintendent of Statue of Liberty NM
National Parks of New York Harbor Commissioner Maria Burks has named David Luchsinger as superintendent of the Statue of Liberty National Monument. Luchsinger will be responsible for both the Statue of Liberty and for Ellis Island, which drew more than 3.5 million visitors in 2008. He succeeds Cynthia Garrett, who retired.
June 26, 2009
First Bloom in the National Parks of New York Harbor
First Bloom students are digging in around New York City as a garden was created and another tended by the National Park Foundation program held two events in June.
June 22, 2009
Overlook Pavilion Update
Work is winding to its final stages for the first phase of the rehabilitation of the Overlook Pavilion in Riverside Park across the street from General Grant National Memorial (Grant's Tomb).
June 22, 2009
Theodore Roosevelt Public Speaking Contest
On May 28, 2009, 14 high school students arrived at Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site for the finals of the Theodore Roosevelt Public Speaking Contest, which is organized annually by the Theodore Roosevelt Association (TRA).
June 12, 2009
Kayak on Jamaica Bay Program Launches This Weekend
Kick-off event for the Kayaking on Jamaica Bay Program, part of Gateway’s participation in a nationwide Active Trails program will take place at 11 a.m. June 14, 2009.
June 08, 2009
Statue of Liberty Crown Reservation System Goes Live June 13
On May 8, 2009, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced that beginning this July 4, the American public will once again be able to visit the crown of the Statue of Liberty, which was closed after the 9/11 attacks for safety and security reasons. Beginning at 10 a.m. (ET) on June 13, 2009, crown reservations may be made through the park’s ferry concessioner, Statue Cruises, at www.statuecruises.com or by phone at 877- LADY-TIX (877-523-9849). Crown tickets may be reserved in advance up to 1 year prior to the day of the visit.
June 04, 2009
Entrance Fee-free Weekends
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has announced that the National Park Service (NPS) will offer three entrance fee-free weekends this summer.
