Gardiners Island is a small island in eastern Suffolk County in the U.S. state of New York, located in Gardiners Bay between the North and South Forks of Long Island at the eastern end of Long Island. It is 6 miles long, 3 miles wide and has 27 miles of coastline. The island is the largest privately owned island in the United States, and has been owned by the same family for nearly 400 years. The family’s ownership has survived Indian wars, pillaging pirates, the Revolution, the Civil War and two World Wars. It has survived the income tax, the inheritance tax, the Depression and bitter feuds. Until now – the island has very recently passed into the hands of Alexandra Goelet, after the result of a bitter fued. Nearby residents fears of a buildup on Gardiners Island were put to rest as Ms. Goelet announced her aggressive preservationist agenda for the island, continuing the tradition of nearly 400 years.
