Governors Island offers a limited number of indoor spaces that are available for programs and events. Please click on the links for more detailed information about these spaces.

There are food vendors and portable toilets located in or around each of these locations during the Public Access Season. Building 110 and Pershing Hall have indoor bathrooms.

A limited number of tables and chairs are available in Pershing Hall and the Commanding Officer's House. Program and event producers are welcome to bring additional furniture into these spaces or other unfurnished spaces listed below.

All programs in St. Cornelius Chapel must be reviewed and approved by Trinity Wall Street. Please reach out to Trinity directly for more information: www.trinitywallstreet.org or (212) 602-0797.

Colonels Row Houses
Colonels Row is a beautiful triangular green that is framed by historic brick homes built in the 1870's. These homes provide limited opportunities for indoor exhibitions and art installations. Colonels Row is sometimes the site of outdoor concerts and festivals. Bike rental is also located on Colonels Row.

Several houses on Colonels Row are available for exhibits

An exhibit by No Longer Empty in a Colonels Row house from 2010

Space: There are several houses available on Colonels Row that are used during the Public Access season for exhibitions and small performances.

First and second floors can be used as exhibition space while the third floor and basements can be used by groups for office/storage space for their exhibits on days when the Island is open to the public. The house interiors have not been renovated and are given in an "as is" condition. They can be adapted for use by groups but may require additional cleaning and maintenance at the cost of the program producer.

Please be aware that if your organization is using one or more of the houses, other programs, events or activities may be taking place in the surrounding houses and lawns, including concerts and festivals.

Accessibility: Colonels Row is a 10 minute walk from both ferry landings on Governors Island. The houses are not wheelchair accessible.

Electricity: Power is available in most of the houses from 110 watt outlets. On site engineers will assist with all plug ins. Program producers are responsible for all extension cords and power strips, cable ramps and any other necessary power cords.

Water: Water is not available in these houses. Bathrooms are not in working condition and are locked.

Additional Amenities: There are portable toilets throughout Colonels Row.

Typical Floorplan

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Building 110 Lower Level
The largest indoor space available on the Island is Building 110 Lower Level. Located on the ground floor of a historic building located next to the ferry to Manhattan and the Water Taxi Beach, this space could be used for exhibitions, indoor fairs, lectures and more. The large space is broken up with columns that create possibilities for large or small programs. It offers extraordinary potential for a broad array of programming.

This large unfinished space with plenty of room for an exhibit photo credit: Erika Clark

The space has been used for large scale events, exhibits and movie screenings photo credit: Erika Clark

Space: Building 110 Lower Level is an 11,000 square foot unfinished space. The upper level, which is currently occupied, houses an ongoing exhibit about Governors Island and artist studios run by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council.

Accessibility: Building 110 is conveniently located right next to Soissons Dock, where the Manhattan ferry arrives and departs on Governors Island. This space is wheelchair accessible.

Electricity: Power is available from 110 and 220 watt outlets. On site engineers will assist with all plug ins. Program producers are responsible for all extension cords and power strips, cable ramps and any other necessary power cords. There is an up to date HVAC system that has fixed dampers and thermostats in two zones. There is also a sprinkler system in the space.

Water: Non-potable water is available in the space.

Additional Amenities: There are new indoor restrooms in this building on both levels.

The Water Taxi Beach, immediately adjacent to the building, has food and alcohol available for sale on Public Access days.

Building 110 Lower Level Floorplan

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Pershing Hall
Pershing Hall, the historic administrative headquarters of Governors Island, offers a few indoor spaces. Pershing Hall can host lectures, talks, readings or other programs.

Pershing Hall is used for lectures and other programs

The largest room can hold 75 people lecture style

Space: The main room in Pershing Hall can be used for lectures and meetings. It can accommodate 75 people lecture style. There are two additional rooms that can be used for smaller readings, breakout sessions or events for 20-30 guests each.

Accessibility: Pershing Hall is located a five minute walk from the Manhattan ferry landing and a two minute walk from Pier 101, where the Brooklyn ferry lands. Pershing Hall is not wheelchair accessible.

Electricity: Power is available from 110 watt outlets. On site engineers will assist with all plug ins. Program producers are responsible for all extension cords and power strips, cable ramps and any other necessary power cords. Pershing Hall has limited HVAC.

Water: Non -potable water is available in the space.

Additional Amenities: There is a pull-down screen for presentations in the main room. Chairs and tables are available for use in this space. Indoor bathrooms are available in this space.

Pershing Hall Floorplan

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The Commanding Officer's House
The Commanding Officer's House is a 12,000 foot home built in 1850 and is the largest house on the Island. It is located in the area known as Nolan Park. The house has a few rooms inside that can be used for lectures, gatherings and receptions.

The Commanding Officer's House is the largest house on the Island

A lecture in the Commanding Officer's House

Space: Programs in the Commanding Officer's House can take advantage of the back porch, backyard, the lawn in front of the house and interior spaces. The largest room can accommodate approximately 50 people sitting lecture style. The House has a permanent exhibition of photographs which must remain in the space during any programming. The House is listed on the National Register and no modifications can be made to its interiors.

Accessibility: It is a five minute walk from both the Manhattan and Brooklyn ferry landings. The house is open to the public at all times when the Island is open to the public and programs during public hours should be free and non ticketed. The Commanding Officer's House is not wheelchair accessible.

Electricity: Power is available from 110 watt outlets. On site engineers will assist with all plug ins. Program producers are responsible for all extension cords and power strips, cable ramps and any other necessary power cords.

Water: Non -potable water is available in the space.

Additional Amenities: Chairs and tables are available for use in this space or programs can bring their own furniture. Portable toilets are located around the perimeter of Nolan Park.

The Commanding Officer's House Floorplan

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Nolan Park Houses
Nolan Park is home to more than a dozen historic, charming yellow houses as well as the Commanding Officer's House. Many of these houses have been used for indoor exhibits, as backdrops to site-specific performances and as venues for other programs.

In 2010, the houses were used as an exhibit space (shown here), as a back-drop for a theater performance and as a pop-up store

Space: There are a variety of houses available for use as exhibit spaces and more. Organizations may use one or more houses.

First and second floors can be used as exhibition space while the third floor and basements can be used by groups for office/storage space for their exhibits on days when the Island is open to the public.

There are many houses available for use in Nolan Park. Please be aware that if your organization is using one or more of the houses, other programs, events or activities may be taking place in the surrounding houses and lawn. The house interiors have not been renovated and given in an "as is" condition. They can be adapted for use by groups but may require additional cleaning and maintenance at the cost of the program producer.

Accessibility: These houses are located a five minute walk from the Manhattan and Brooklyn ferries. The houses are located around a four acre manicured green. They are not wheelchair accessible.

Electricity: Power is available in most of the houses from 110 watt outlets. On site engineers will assist with all plug ins. Program producers are responsible for all extension cords and power strips, cable ramps and any other necessary power cords.

Water: Water is not available in these houses. Bathrooms are not in working condition and are locked.

Additional Amenities: There are portable toilets around the perimeter of Nolan Park.

Typical Floorplan

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Fort Jay Movie Theater
The movie theater can seat 300 people for short films with a maximum length of 30 minutes.

The movie theater can be used for short films photo credit: Erika Clark

The interior seats approximately 300 photo credit: Erika Clark

Space: The Theater can accommodate just over 300 people. Programs including film screenings and lectures must be 30 minutes or less in length. No feature length films can be shown.

Accessibility: The movie theater is located a 10 minute walk from both ferry landings on Governors Island. The movie theater is not wheelchair accessible.

Electricity: Power is available in the theater from 110 watt outlets. There is no projection equipment or sound system. Groups interested in using the theater would have to rent the appropriate equipment. This space has limited air conditioning.

On site engineers will assist with all plug ins. Program producers are responsible for all extension cords and power strips, cable ramps and any other necessary power cords.

Water: Water is not available in the Theater. Bathrooms are not in working condition and are locked.

Additional Amenities: The nearest bathrooms are portable toilets.

No floorplan available

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