Ellis Island public and the museum partially re-opened on October 28, 2013, after major renovations. Originally much of the west shore of Upper New York Bay consisted of large tidal flats which hosted vast oyster banks, a major source of food for the Lenape population who lived in the area prior to the arrival of Dutch settlers. There were several islands which were not completely submerged at high tide. Three of them (later to be known as Liberty Island, Black Tom Island and Ellis Island) were given the name Oyster Islands by the settlers of New Netherland, the first European colony in
Centre Island, New York Centre Island, New York The Village of Centre Island is a village located within the town of Oyster Bay in Nassau County, New York, United States. Its population was 410 as of the 2010 census. This village has had a number of notable residents including musician Billy Joel, Academy and Tony Award-winning lyricist Alan Jay Lerner, media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, and political commentator Sean Hannity. Academy Award-winning composer John Barry was a Centre Island resident until his death in 2011. Banker Arthur Goodhart Altschul Sr. was a Centre Island resident who owned the Southerly estate. Centre Island is located along