History

Light on New Netherland

Outlook Google

New Netherland - the Dutch province that stretched from today's New York State to parts of Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut - existed for 55 years and its legacy lives on. Just two years after the founding of the first permanent English colony at Jamestown in 1607, and eleven years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, the Dutch were in New Netherland. And, although their hold on that part of North America was tenuous and brief, the influence of the Dutch was both impressive and long term. 

Light on New Netherland, a traveling exhibit consisting of 26 two-dimensional panels,  introduces adults and children to important, but not well-known aspects of this part of the American history and culture.

Scheduled venues
-May 14 - June 14, 2009: 
GAGA Arts Center, 55 Railroad Ave., Garnerville, in the village of West Haverstraw, NY. The exhibit can be visited in conjunction with the arrival of the Hudson Flotilla in June 6 and 7. 
-After June 22 through July 2009 (exact dates t.b.a.):
Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities, 161 Main Street, Cold Spring  Harbor, NY. 
-August 3 - September 8, 2009 (exact dates t.b.a.):
Federal Hall, 26 Wall Street, NYC      
-September 15 - 22, 2009:
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Library and Museum, Hyde Park, NY           
-September 24 - 29, 2009: 
Pawling Town Recreation Center, Pawling, NY
-October 1 - 8, 2009 :
Morton Library Hall, Rhinecliff,  NY 
-October 10 - 15, 2009:
Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries, Beacon, NY  
-December 14, 2009 – March 20, 2010:
The Historical Society of Delaware, Wilmington
-April 2010 – May 2010:
Calvin College, Michigan.

In conjunction with this exhibit the New Netherland Institute is responsible for other projects: 

Dutch Renaissance: the Story of the New Netherland Project, by Peter Douglas published by the New Netherland Institute and the NYS Library, 2008.

Uncovering America's Forgotten Colony: The New Netherland Project, is a 30 minute documentary DVD film, produced by Mogul One Productions 2009, on the New Netherland Project, the transcription, translation, and publication of the 12,000 official records of New Netherland, led by Dr. Charles Gehring since 1974. A portion of this film is shown at the exhibit. 

Explorers, Fortunes, and Love Letters: A Window on New Netherland, Mount Ida Press, April 2009. Contains 12 essays based on original research by New Netherland authors including Russell Shorto, Joyce Goodfriend, Jaap Jacobs, Janny Venema among others, edited and introduced by Martha Shattuck, a member of the New Netherland Project staff.

Discovery and Invention: the Worlds of Henry Hudson, an exhibit being developed by the Museum of the City of New York (MCNY) in co-sponsorship with the New Netherland Institute. This co-sponsorship includes the assistance of Dr. Charles Gehring, Director of the New Netherland Project, and support with funding and content. This exhibit is scheduled to open on April 4, 2009.  

New Netherland Institute