Gardiners Island

Gardiners Island is a private island located between the North and South Forks of Long Island, covering more than three thousand acres of woodland, open meadows, and several saltwater ponds. The terrain remains largely undeveloped and is managed by the owning family.

Lion Gardiner received the island in 1639 through a royal decree from King Charles I, making it the only property in the United States held by an original English crown grant to this day. The family has occupied and managed the land continuously for more than three hundred and eighty years.

The Manor House, reconstructed after a 1947 fire, stands as a Georgian estate where the Gardiner family maintains centuries-old traditions and artifacts.

The entire island is closed to the public and only family members and authorized staff are allowed to enter the property. Access is through a private airstrip, as there are no public ferry services or docking facilities available.

Captain William Kidd buried stolen goods on the island in 1699, including gold and silver pieces, before he was captured. Authorities later recovered part of the cache and used it as evidence during his trial in Boston.

Location: East Hampton

Location: Suffolk County

GPS coordinates: 41.09788,-72.10341

Latest update: December 13, 2025 16:57