(Editor’s note: Class of 2021 Cadet Sarah Martin provided the Constitution Island material to shape this into an article.)
Constitution Island is a sprawling landmass haven within a hop, skip, jump, short swim and view of the northeast part of the U.S. Military Academy with the Hudson River separating the two.
History flourishes at Constitution Island, formerly known as “Martelaer’s Rock,” for many reasons as it is the site of the earliest Revolutionary War fortifications in the Hudson Valley.
Taken briefly by the British in 1777, the island was re-occupied by American forces in 1778 and made an integral part of Fortress West Point, most famous for the eastern anchor point of the “Great Chain” used to prevent British naval vessels from navigating freely along the Hudson River.
The island also includes the Warner House, which is a part of the National Historic Landmark of USMA. The Warner family, including sisters Susan and Anna Warner, who were prolific novelists and songwriters, owned the island and lived in the house from 1838 to 1915.
In 1908, seven years before her death, Anna Warner sold the island to Margaret Sage, widow of the financier Russell Sage.
The island was bequeathed to USMA in 1909 and has been managed by the West Point Museum ever since.
In recent years, cadets have sporadically visited Constitution Island for one reason or another, but on Oct. 31, 2020, the Energy and Environment team took cadets on an E20 (Energy and Environment officer) trip section to the island. While the island is owned and located at West Point, it was quite an experience that none of these cadets on the trip section had ever undergone while absorbing an astounding historical piece of the overall reservation.
Class of 2021 Cadet Sarah Martin, who made the trip section visit, remarked, “The cadets were blown away by the magnificence of the island’s scenery, the rich history of the island, the beautiful museum being completed (on the island) and the island caretaker, Roddy MacLeod.”
Cadets no longer utilize the island as a location of respite like they did in the previous two centuries, where they attended bible studies and had a rotation to have their chance to enjoy the magic of the island.
However, Martin hopes to change that thought process and lead the next generation of cadets to enjoy the robustness of the island’s bliss.
“Constitution Island is truly a hidden oasis for cadets,” Martin said. “Helping to reinvigorate the Cadet-Constitution Island relationship has been a remarkable conclusion of my cadet chapter. Learning about the storied history of this land from Mr. MacLeod has been the greatest privilege of this COVID-19 era.”
Martin, who is the 3rd Regiment environmental officer, said the site is important for many reasons to include:
• Constitution Island is a site to the largest collection of Indian artifacts found in one location — more than 20,000 artifacts;
• The island led the Bald Eagle Conservation program beginning in 1997;
• The Warner Family’s legacy is becoming immortalized on the property’s new museum;
• The island’s significance in the American Revolutionary War.
Martin said visiting the island and learning about what it offers should be essential for every cadet.
“At one time, Cadet Basic Training was conducted on the island for years, allowing cadets to experience the island early in their cadet careers and to return to it as a place of respite throughout their time at the academy,” Martin said.
Another member of the trip section, Class of 2021 Cadet Annie Dunlap, said, “The history and serene nature of Constitution Island has allowed cadets to enjoy beauty away from Garrison through the pandemic’s lockdown. Mr. MacLeod’s hospitality has been nothing short of a gift to all of us and we are so grateful for his support.”
From Martin’s perspective, in 2021, most cadets do not know Constitution Island exists and this is where she hopes the Energy and Environment program changes this reality. The hope, Martin said, is to achieve bimonthly cadet trips with at least 50 cadets at a time.
“As a (cadet) program, we pledge to keep planning trip sections to appreciate Constitution Island,” Martin said. “Every cadet should see the island before graduation. The benefits of the beautiful location, fresh air and fascinating stories are proven mental health boosts.
“More than ever, the Corps needs support to make trip sections and events to Constitution Island a regular excursion,” she added. “Let us not let yet another remarkable historical site remain forgotten.”
Martin said her biggest point to be made is the cadets’ desire to increase infrastructure to facilitate access to the island. In the distant past, she said, cadets would rotate by state to visit the island and partake in bible studies with the Warner sisters.
“President Dwight Eisenhower is thought to have appreciated these trips immensely,” Martin said. “The sisters were once socialites in New York City, but became authors and songwriters after the Warner Family lost their money. These sisters were famous for the hymn, “Jesus Loves Me.” The island was donated after the death of the youngest sister.”
Martin said she believes the Warner sisters desired for the cadets to appreciate the island indefinitely.
“To honor their legacy, as well as those legacies of cadets who attended the island,” Martin said. “I felt it is my duty to develop the relationship between the cadets and Constitution Island again.”
Travel to Constitution Island varies as cadets can take the ferry, which leaves south dock to the Garrison train station and then heads to the island — especially during the warm weather months. “My hope is that cadets learn the ferry service can take them to the island on weekends,” Martin said. “However, during the winter months, we have rented vans and driven across Constitution Marsh.”
A member of the trip section, Class of 2022 Cadet Ian Morris, who also helps plan the events, participated in a visit to the island in March and is highly fascinated by the island’s unique history and nestled tranquility.
“Despite the years of separation between ourselves and the classes of the early 20th century, Constitution Island remains as a respite for myself and my fellow cadets,” Morris said. “With the backdrop of history and preserved nature, the island is close enough for easy access yet just far enough away to allow for relaxation and a feeling of separation from the stressors of cadet life.
“I hope that we can get back to a point where every cadet has the opportunity to experience what the island has to offer,” Morris concluded, “and see West Point from a new perspective on the other side of the river.”