New York & the Netherlands History | A Shared History of Dutch & Americans

Four centuries ago, a Dutch ship captained by Henry Hudson, landed in what is now New York City. The voyage of the Half Moon was the genesis of a 400 year relationship between the Netherlands and the United States. Little did we know that the establishment of New Amsterdam and the New Netherland colony would lay the foundation for the thriving relationship between the Netherlands and the United States that exists today. READ MORE

Shared history, shared values

Two countries, one spirit

Four centuries ago, a Dutch ship captained by Henry Hudson, landed in what is now New York City. The voyage of the Half Moon was the genesis of a 400 year relationship between the Netherlands and the United States. Little did we know that the establishment of New Amsterdam and the New Netherland colony would lay the foundation for the thriving relationship between the Netherlands and the United States that exists today. READ MORE

Shared history, shared values

Dutch-Scandinavian relations in Brooklyn

Last week was the start of 5 Dutch Days, a series of events around Dutch-American Heritage Day. In the Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, NY the Scandinavian East Coast Museum organized two presentations about Dutch New York and Scandinavians in Dutch New York. READ MORE

Shared history, shared values

Half Moon in Yonkers

When Henry Hudson sailed into New York Harbor in 1609, he and his crew aboard the Dutch ship the Half Moon could never have imagined that four hundred years later, they would be so famous. The only existing replica of the Half Moon, under the command of Captain Chip Reynolds, arrived in Yonkers on October 15 and will remain docked through October 31st. For those who missed out on viewing the Replica during the NY400 week, the public is invited to come on board for public tours on October 24&25 with a final day of public tours set for October 31.

Shared history, shared values

Rensselaerswijck Seminar 2009

Last weekend was the 2009 Rensselaerswijck Seminar in Albany, NY. This year the annual Seminar had a two-day program with an opening on Thursday evening with Russell Shorto and speakers on Friday and Saturday. The seminar took place in New York State Museum’s Carole Huxley Theatre.

Shared history, shared values

NY400 Week

Four hundred years ago, a Dutch ship called the Halve Maen ('Half Moon') arrived to the shores of what is now New York City with Captain Henry Hudson at the helm. During NY400 Week, the Dutch 'invaded' the City once again, with all things fun and fabulous they have to offer. The week was highlighted by a unique visit of the Prince of Orange and Princess Maxima of the Netherlands READ MORE

Shared history, shared values

Visit Balkenende

Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende visited New York City this week, as part of the NY400 celebration, together with Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Verhagen, and Dutch Ambassador to the U.S. Renee Jones-Bos READ MORE

Dutch Roots

9/11 Remembrance

Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Maxima paid their respects to the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The Royal Couple attended the 9/11 Memorial Service at Zucotti Park, after which they joined the remembrance service in the West End Collegiate Church. In the afternoon, the Prince and Princess had a private meeting with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House READ MORE

Why 400?

Welcome Royals

NY400 Week kicked off September 8, with an impressive ceremony onboard the USS Intrepid. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and NYC Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg officially welcomed Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Orange and Princess Maxima of the Netherlands to New York City READ MORE

Shared history, shared values

3D New Amsterdam

The Virtual New Amsterdam Prototype was created by the Environmental Simulation Center (ESC) in collaboration with Len Tantillo, Hudson Microimaging and Haff Associates, Inc. for the New Amsterdam History Center (NAHC) with funding from the New York Empire State Development Corporation and the Collegiate Church Corporation.

Dutch Roots

Royal Visit to NYC

The upcoming NY400 Week celebrations will be highlighted by a unique six-day visit of the Prince of Orange and Princess Maxima of the Netherlands to the City of New York. It brings back memories of another Royal Visit, fifty years ago. Her Majesty Queen Beatrix – then Princess- stole the hearts of the New Yorkers in 1959. This Tuesday, the Prince of Orange will also receive a warm welcome by New York City, during the NY400 opening ceremony onboard the USS Intrepid. READ MORE

Shared history, shared values

Half Moon Replica: A Sneak Preview

When Henry Hudson sailed into New York harbor in 1609, he and his crew aboard the Dutch ship the Half Moon could never have imagined that four hundred years later, they would be the talk of the town. The only existing replica of the Half Moon, under the command of Captain Chip Reynolds, will take part in the NY400 Week celebrations. The ship is docked at Battery Park on September 9, giving everybody a chance to see this historic gem for themselves READ MORE

Shared history, shared values

MCNY Discount

The Museum of the City of New York marks this year’s 400th anniversary of the Dutch arrival in Manhattan with three great exhibitions: ‘Amsterdam/New Amsterdam: the Worlds of Henry Hudson’, ‘Dutch Seen: New York Rediscovered’ and ‘Mannahatta/Manhattan: A Natural History of New York City’. The museum offers NY400 readers an exclusive two-for one discount to all three exhibits!

Shared history, shared values

The Ancestor: Everardus Bogardus

Everardus Bogardus was the second Reformed minister of New Amsterdam (present-day New York). He was both a minister among the Europeans, the Native Americans, and the West-Africans in the settlement, a spokesman of the opposition during ‘Kieft’s War’, and a colonist married to the famous Anneke Jans. In the eyes of his descendant Peter Bogardus, a modern New Yorker, he was most notable for his openness and ability to relate to other cultures.

Dutch Roots

Brooklyn Saves Breukelen?

The Brooklyn Paper goes Dutch! Three reporters from The Brooklyn Paper explored the roots of their borough in its ancestral home: Breukelen. But their fact-finding mission took a turn for the worst when they discovered Breukelen is to be merged with two other cities, thereby losing its name. ‘SAVE BREUKELEN! Our ancestral home is facing extinction!’, a breaking news headline reads on the paper’s website.

Dutch Roots

Bill Schermerhorn

Macy's 4th of July fireworks moved to the Hudson this year, in honor of Henry Hudson's voyage 400 years ago on the Dutch ship the Half Moon. Born on the Fourth of July, Macy's Creative Director Bill Schermerhorn has always loved Independence Day. His Dutch roots and over 27 years of experience working for Macy's Fireworks make him the guy to talk to.

Shared history, shared values

Beatrix in New York

The upcoming visit of the Prince of Orange and Princess Maxima of the Netherlands to New York this September brings back memories of another Royal Visit, fifty years ago. Her Majesty Queen Beatrix - then Princess - stole the hearts of the New Yorkers in 1959, as part of the celebration of the 350th anniversary of Henry Hudson's voyage.

Shared history, shared values

Dutch New York: more than just cookies and coleslaw

What did ‘Dutch New York’ mean to the New Yorkers of the past? From the Roosevelts and Vanderbilts to cookies and coleslaw; America has had a longstanding relationship with its Dutch heritage, one that has been subject to change more than once.

Why 400?

The opening of River Day

River Day's ships sailed off this weekend! The great historic flagships are re-tracing Henry Hudson's 1609 voyage up the Hudson over the course of the next few days.

Dutch Roots

The revival of The Onrust

This weekend, River Day kicks off! Of course, the replica of Hudson’s famous ship the Half Moon will take part in the flotilla. But there is another Dutch historical ship participating, with an equally fascinating story.

Dutch Roots

Discovering Dutch New York

The New Amsterdam Trail is an interactive history walk illuminating the Dutch presence in the landmarks, architecture, monuments, and street names of lower Manhattan. NY400 walked the tour and discovered a couple of fascinating, hidden spots that most New Yorkers probably are not aware of.

Why 400?

The voyage of the Half Moon

In 1609, Captain Henry Hudson arrived on the shores of what is now New York City on the Dutch ship the Half Moon (Halve Maen). Today, a replica of the explorer’s vessel is recreating his voyage up the Hudson River. Captain William ‘Chip’ Reynolds explains what it feels like to be the 21st century’s Henry Hudson.

Shared history, shared values

American high school students explore the Dutch legacy

‘What do Dutch people like to eat?’ was one of the many questions the students at Queens Collegiate High School had for Deputy Minister of Education, Culture and Science Sharon Dijksma, during her visit to the school as part of the ‘Exploring the Dutch Legacy’ program.

Shared history, shared values

Amsterdam/New Amsterdam exhibit opened at the Museum of the City of New York

Last night the first major NY400 exhibition kicked off at the Museum of the City of New York, featuring 275 objects from 40 lenders in a design that recalls Henry Hudson’s ship the Half Moon. Over a thousand people attended the opening reception, already making it a huge success.

Shared history, shared values

April 2009 marks 400 years since Captain Henry Hudson departed Amsterdam on a Dutch East India Company ship, the Halve Maen (Half Moon).

Why 400?

400 years ago Henry Hudson, Captain on a Dutch ship landed in the area hat would become one of the largest and most recognizable cities in the world New York City.

Dutch Roots

Am I Dutch?

Are you Dutch or you think you might be? Every genealogy guide will tell you to start your search at home. Work your way back into your own history and try and find out as many names of your ancestors.

Timeline

Navigate through 400 years of friendship.

Shared history, shared values

Dutch Fame

More than 4.5 million Americans are of Dutch descent. Here are some extraordinary Americans with Dutch roots and Dutch citizens who have made the United States their home.

Shared history, shared values

Dutch Historian Jaap Jacobs on the Worlds of Henry Hudson

With the exhibition Amsterdam/New Amsterdam: the Worlds of Henry Hudson Jaap Jacobs aims to make New Yorkers more aware of their history: ‘It’s like a basic fact of life, to be interested in the history of your own home town, to want to know more about it.'

Why 400?

The Schaghenbrief letter

In 1626, the Dutch bought Manhattan by giving the Native Americans goods worth 60 guilders. At least, the Dutch thought they had. Dubbed by Fortune Magazine the best business deal ever made, evidence of this misinterpreted transaction is provided by the Schaghenbrief letter.