Our History

The Lenapes referred to the Island as "Pagganck" ("Nut Island") after the island's plentiful chestnut trees. Named "Noten Eylant" ("Island of Nuts") by the Dutch explorer Adriaen Block, and known by its pidgin English name of "Nutten Island" from 1611 to 1784.

1613 Jan Rodrigues from Hispaniola (now the Dominican Republic), a freeman of Portugese and African descent, is the first non-native to live on Nutten Island. Rodrigues marries a Lenape, learns native dialects and is hired as an interpreter for Dutch traders.

1924 Thirty families disembark on the island to settle Nieuw Nederland ("New Netherland"). As a province of the Dutch Republic, it is the first colony in America with the right of religious freedom.

1637 Wouter Van Twiller, director of New Netherland, buys the island from the Lenape for two ax heads, a string of beads, and some nails.

1776 Fortifications are raised by the Continental Army and the island is a key military base during the American Revolutionary War.

1861 During the American Civil War, Castle Williams holds Confederate prisoners of war and Fort Jay holds captured Confederate officers.

1901 Landfill from the Lexington Avenue subway excavations adds 103 acres to the original island.

1909 Wilbur Wright takes off from the island, flies around the Statue of Liberty, and lands again- the first flight over American waters!

1995 The Coast Guard closes its facilities and all residents are relocated.

2003 The island is sold to the State of New York for $1.

2010 The Free State of Nutten Island formally declares independence.

 

 

The Chestnut

Our flag and crest are emblazoned with the chestnut, indigenous and plentiful to the island. The chestnut is a seed, the beginning of life, and a highly nutritious and sustaining food. The colors of the flag come from the flags of the Dutch Republic and the flag of New York City.

 

 

Did You Know?

With a land area of 172 acres (0.696 square kilometers), the Free Nation of Nutten Island is over 50% larger than Vatican City.