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
Horsey Island Horsey Island Horsey Island is an island in the parish of Thorpe-le-Soken, Essex. It lies in Hamford Water and is part of the Hamford Water National Nature Reserve, co-managed by Natural England and the Essex Wildlife Trust. Permission is required to visit. The western section of the island contains a freshwater pool surrounded by trees. At one point boats could moor here, but this is now discouraged. There are a number of oyster beds along here and the north edge of the island. In the centre of the island are a number of farm buildings. In the 19th century, a