Walking Tours: Roosevelt Island's Magnolias and Cherry Blossoms

The Roosevelt Island Historical Society is sponsoring two short walking tours this month both with an added focus to enjoy the fauna in bloom at this time of year.

The first is this weekend, Saturday April 5th, starting at 11am, outside the Octagon and proceeding North to the Roosevelt Island Lighthouse. This tour includes the many magnolias at that end of the island. The suggested donation to the RIHS for the tour is $5.

The second tour, on Sunday April 20th, starts out at the RIHS Visitors Center Kiosk located by the Tram and proceeds South along the promenade to enjoy the cherry blossoms. You don't need to travel to DC to see these flowers each year just a quick visit to Roosevelt Island.

I am guessing part of the tour will discuss how these trees came to the island as I don't believe they are indigenous to the space. I have pictures in my mind of the inmates lounging under the trees between their daily line-ups for the warden. I am assuming the trees were planted during the early years after Goldwater was constructed. To learn the real answers come on down to the tour.

Watch for posters and announcements regarding the start time for the April 20th tour.

Just How “Green” is the Octagon?

If you are interested in a tour which focuses on just how environmentally friendly the Octagon building really is, you can take a tour on December 18, 2007, if you register HERE. The tour is sponsored by the NYC chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council.

Two Videos 40 Years Apart of Roosevelt Island

These two videos of Roosevelt Island show differing views of or from the same island, Roosevelt Island. The first in 2006 from two teenagers and their comments (occasionally off color) and the second from 1966. Two vastly different videos.

2006 Video Tour - Personal Video



This video is for the most part all at Southpoint and a bit at Lighthouse Park as well as various water views facing out from the island.

Direct YouYube Link by CoolLikeMiles


1966 Video Documentary of Welfare Island.



1966 Video Documentary of Welfare Island. “This short documentary, filmed in 1966, shows the island as it was. Much of the southern part of the island remains in this terrible condition.” It appears to be a non-professional video and quite grainy and the sound has not held up. But it is interesting to see video of the old structures at least for those pictures which are in focus.

Direct YouTube Link by VillagePeop

2007 Open House New York Tour: Exterior of Smallpox Hospital Only

It has been reported (or inferred) on at least two websites, NewYorkology (09/04/2007) and on the New Yorker (09/24/2007) that the October 6-7, 2007 Open House New York Weekend Tour would include an interior tour of the Renwick Ruin, the former smallpox hospital located within Roosevelt Island's Southpoint Park. I had left comments on NewYorkology expressing my disbelief with this possibility due to the nature of the ruins. Amy resonded quickly and indicated she would confirm this with OHNY.

Today I received the following response from Erica Wilder, the Community Liaison, from the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation ("RIOC"), in response to my query if such access is allowed or even possible:

"You're absolutely right. Considering that the Renwick ruins is dangerously unstable, all tours of the ruins are strictly views of the exterior structure from the outer perimeters of the gate which surrounds the ruins."

So hopefully all those individuals looking to pay OHNY for such access know before they get to Roosevelt Island you will not be given access other than from outside the gates. Believe me if access was allowed you'd have a line of residents who have been wanting a peek inside for years.

If you do come to the island that weekend I believe OHNY is also marketing the tour to include access to The Encampment which looks like it will be an amazing project to see and witness.

Museum Natural History : 8/23 Roosevelt Island Geological Walking Tour

According to the website for the American Museum of Natural History they are offering a “members only” walking tour of Roosevelt Island. The details are below.

August 23, 2007
AMNH
$28
Code: MW082307
10:00 a.m.–12:00 noon

“Geologist Sidney Horenstein leads an exclusive walking tour of Roosevelt Island in the East River. Horenstein will discuss the geological features of the island, the origin of the East River, and the history of the New York area. Enjoy a unique view of the Queensboro Bridge and the fascinating scenery of historic structures and landmarks on the island.”

If you are into waking tours I encourage all visitors and resident’s alike to inquire at the RIHS Visitor’s Center (the Kiosk at the Tram) about taking a walking tour specifically designed around and about our Island’s History.

Main Street Tour (Taxi Theme Music)

Direct YouTube Link for video posted by kalamuhzo

A car ride starting on the RI Bridge which heads North towards Coler Hospital and then circles around and down to Tramway Plaza and back up to the bridge. All set to the TV theme song for Taxi.