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Alan Michelson's 'The Oyster' on Governors Island Unearths NYC's Lenape Shell Midden History

exhibition · 2026-08-07

This past weekend, Alan Michelson unveiled his public art installation 'The Oyster' on Governors Island, which will be on display until late fall. The artwork highlights the historical significance of Lenape shell middens—accumulations of oyster shells that indicated pre-European settlements along Manhattan's original East River shoreline. One such midden, located in the southern part of Pearl Street in Manhattan's Chinatown, is thought to have been near a Lenape canoe landing. Dutch colonists first documented these prominent features in the early 17th century, with many persisting into the 19th century before being repurposed for road construction. Daniel Tredwell, a Brooklyn writer, recorded in his 1839 diary his explorations of these shell heaps with his father, unaware that they were remnants of Indigenous life. Michelson's installation underscores the ongoing struggle over this history, as the impact of oysters on contemporary life remains largely overlooked. The exhibit is showcased on Governors Island, featuring a photograph by Timothy Schenck for Governors Island Arts.

Key facts

  • Alan Michelson's 'The Oyster' opened on Governors Island this past weekend.
  • The artwork will continue until late fall.
  • Pearl Street in Manhattan's Chinatown is named for a Lenape shell midden.
  • The midden was located on the southern section of Pearl Street.
  • The midden is believed to have been adjacent to a Lenape canoe landing.
  • Middens were sometimes four feet deep and were noted by Dutch colonists in the early 17th century.
  • Many middens remained into the 19th century and were used as filler for roads.
  • Daniel Tredwell's 1839 diary describes exploring shell heaps with his father.
  • The Tredwell family did not realize the landmarks were created by Indigenous people.
  • Michelson's project suggests the history is still present and contested.

Entities

Artists

  • Alan Michelson

Institutions

  • Governors Island Arts

Locations

  • Governors Island
  • New York City
  • Manhattan
  • Chinatown
  • Pearl Street
  • East River
  • Hudson River

Sources