“To enter Gardiner’s Bay past the east end of Plum Island, keep close to the island or pass to the east of Old Silas Rock, which is always above water. About a quarter-mile northwest of this rock lies the wreck of a government steamer, with parts of the wreck barely submerged at low tide. The ship channel runs to the east of Old Silas, where 3 ½ fathoms of water are available, with no obstructions other than a strong tide.” (Pratt, 1883)
History of Gardiner Island and the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation
Gardiner Island
Located in East Hampton, New York, Gardiner Island was originally named Manchonake (or Monchonock/Mashongomuc), which translates to “place where many have died,” as designated by the indigenous Montaukett people. The island was later renamed the Isle of Wight by the Gardiner family, inspired by the Isle of Wight in England.
In 1639, Lion Gardiner (1599–1663), an English engineer and colonist who played a crucial role in establishing the Connecticut Colony, purchased the island from the Montaukett. His payment consisted of a few blankets, a dog, a gun, some ammunition, and rum. Gardiner also agreed to pay 5 pounds annually to a representative of Earl Stirling, although this arrangement likely ended after a few years. His claim to the land was bolstered by his support of the indigenous people during the Pequot War and was formalized by a royal patent from King Charles I, granting him the “right to possess the land forever” and designating it as a proprietary colony, with Gardiner titled Lord of the Manor and granted governorship privileges.
The Gardiner family’s history on the island is marked by significant historical and political events, including Indian wars, pirate activity, and invasions by British forces. They adeptly navigated major conflicts such as the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. Notable visitors to the island included Henry Clinton, John André, Captain Kidd, and Ernest Hemingway.
In its early days, Gardiner Island hosted a plantation that cultivated corn, wheat, fruit (notably apples for cider), tobacco, and livestock. Today, the 5.19-square-mile island features over 1,000 acres of old-growth forest, including the largest stand of white oak in the northeastern United States, as well as species like swamp maple, wild cherry, and birch. The meadows are home to New York’s largest osprey colony, where these birds uniquely build their nests on the ground.
Many structures on the island date back to the 17th century and have been meticulously preserved, maintaining their historical integrity. Walt Whitman once wrote of Gardiner’s Island, “Imagination loves to trace (mine does, anyhow) the settlement and patriarchal happiness of this fine old English gentleman on his island there all by himself, with his large farmhouse, his servants and family, his crops on a great scale, his sheep, horses, and cows. His wife was a Dutch woman—for thus it is written by his own hand in the old family Bible, which the Gardiners yet possess.”
The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation
Established in 1987, the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation supports the study of Long Island history and its role in the American experience. Its objectives include educating and informing the general public about the State of New York, particularly the Town of Islip and, more broadly, Suffolk County, by connecting the culture, art, and traditions of the locality. The foundation fosters interest and appreciation for the societal heritage of the Town of Islip, particularly during the 19th century. It encourages and sponsors the creation and perpetuation of collections and repositories by historical societies for the examination of documents and artifacts relevant to such heritage. Additionally, the foundation sponsors and encourages the preservation, restoration, and exhibition of at least one facility by historical societies appropriate for these purposes.
Robert David Lion Gardiner not only embraced the history of Gardiner Island, but he also lived and breathed it. He emphasized the importance of both historical and ecological preservation. His deep understanding of the vital relationship between history and the environment is becoming more evident every day. Gardiner’s Island is truly a gem; it is one of the very few places left on this planet that can be considered close to untouched.
Mystic Seaport and the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation
In January 2023, the Mystic Seaport Museum received a two-year grant from the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation to catalog and digitize its Long Island collections. Located near Long Island and committed to preserving collections, the museum aims to promote Suffolk County’s heritage through this project. Key priorities include surveying holdings, identifying relevant materials, and digitizing selected objects, images, and archival material. The project will enhance catalog records, improve searchability with metadata tags for Long Island towns, and create a dedicated website as a central resource for Long Island history.
Building relationships with external organizations that hold Long Island materials is also a crucial component. The long-term goal is to transform the Long Island Collections website into an aggregator of images and information from various historical collections and institutions. Over the next two years, the museum’s collection of rare books, manuscripts, charts, maps, ship plans, vessels, photographs, audio and visual archives, and other artifacts will be explored to uncover and share the hidden stories of Long Island. This effort will contribute to forming a strong foundation for ongoing and future research into Long Island’s rich history. Following Robert David Lion Gardiner’s vision, scholars, environmentalists, and the public can utilize this project and work together both directly and indirectly to uncover and remember the past in hopes of preserving the future.
The Curatorial Process
Claire and I are thrilled to embark on this unique opportunity to explore the extensive collection at Mystic Seaport Museum, focusing on objects that originate or relate to Long Island and uncovering their hidden narratives. Our mission involves a thorough examination of the collection, including the use of a variety of scholarly resources, including the institution’s website, input from curatorial staff, volunteers, and insights from the public. We aim to forge connections with other institutions, inviting them to contribute content from their own collections, thereby enriching the narrative of Long Island’s history and making it accessible to both locals and a global audience.
Our goal is to weave together stories, trades, and individuals through the lens of these objects, much like the Long Island Sound has historically connected two significant land masses. This unique body of water is not only an ecological treasure, rich in biodiversity, but also a tapestry of diverse histories—spanning indigenous cultures, colonization, slavery, industry, and the arts. Documenting our process will require a deep understanding of the grant’s objectives and collaboration across all curatorial departments, staff, and volunteers. Given that each institution has its own operational nuances, mastering various research methods and software tools will be essential. We aim to create a flexible framework that allows for discoveries to unfold, highlighting the interconnectedness of Long Island’s rich heritage.
Our journey begins with a small yet significant vessel, the oyster sloop Nellie, which will transport us to the origins of Long Island as we know it today. As this vessel undergoes intensive restoration, we will delve into its history and the broader narrative of Long Island itself. The story of the Nellie embodies a complex interplay of fact and fiction, revealing more than we initially expect. The threads it weaves remind us of the profound impact of the past on our future. This process symbolizes a full circle, reflecting the belief held by many early cultures that time is a continuous cycle rather than a linear progression. What once seemed like a flat line transforms into an endless journey, continually cycling through history and its lasting impacts.