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New York's going Dutch...again.
Alright, my fellow Knickerbockers, listen up. This week is the 400 year anniversary of Henry Hudson sailing into New York Harbor and going "ZOMG CAN I HAS A NORTHWEST PASSAGE???!" to which the estuary-turn-river that would one day bear his name said "NO YOU CAN NOT".
But while there may not have been a viable route to the riches of the Orient, the Dutch took a look a dear old Henry's log books, and seeing a veritable treasure trove of exploitable resources, hit that as only the Dutch East India Company could—half-assedly.
But it's been proposed that the founding population of a city or nation bestow upon it its' physic being, its' very mindset and soul. I mean, I think anyone who's ever tried to find a bar open past 12 am in Boston can agree. And New York is Very, Very Dutch. And by Dutch, I really mean hodgepodge. In an era where diversity was seen as a surefire way to weaken a state, this was a place that 18 different languages could be heard in a population of only 500. This is a place where Peter Stuyvesant was overruled when he tried to throw 24 Sephardic Jewish refugees from Brazil out of the New Amsterdam because of the Dutch Law of Conscience. It was a place of tolerance; and by "tolerance" I mean "I hate you but I'll tolerate your presence in MY city cause I'm just trying to make a buck here"—and that my friends is the truest of New York sentiments.
But I've gotten ahead of myself, because really the entire point of this post is that I intend on celebrating this city's fine history! And you're invited to join me! So, peruse the following events, and if you can come with, drop me a line!
Saturday, Sept. 12th, approximately 11 am-ish. Museum of the City of New York:
Amsterdam/New Amsterdam: The Worlds of Henry Hudson
Objects, images and documents from the 16th century and discussions of Henry Hudson's transatlantic voyage examine the relationship between New Amsterdam and New York.
Manhattana/Manhattan
This exhibition explores what the island of Manhattan (or Mannahatta, as it was known by the Native Americans) looked like when Henry Hudson arrived with his crew in 1609.
Dutch Seen: New York Rediscovered
Dutch photographers peer through their camera lenses and create a portrait of New York as it is today
I've been meaning to go to this Museum for ages now, and with two of their Dutch New York exhibits closing this months, one MUST strike while the iron is hot!
Tuesday Sept. 8th – Monday Sept. 14, , Battery Park/Bowling Green
New Amsterdam Village
To showcase traditional Dutch products and crafts, the New Amsterdam Village boasts 12 traditional Dutch houses, shoemaking demonstrations, Dutch food, a greenhouse and a windmill.
Thursday, Sept. 17th, 6:30 pm: Lower East Side Tenement Museum:
Mannahatta: Early New York City with Eric Sanderson and Douglas Hunter, in Conversation with Robert Sullivan
Tenement Talks presents a natural history of New York City with two leading historians.
The Tenement Talks are always a good way to spend the evening; there's an AMAZING gelateria next to the Tenement Museum, and they also offer wine for the suggested donation of $1. Get there no later than 6pm, though, as these evenings tend to be popular.
But while there may not have been a viable route to the riches of the Orient, the Dutch took a look a dear old Henry's log books, and seeing a veritable treasure trove of exploitable resources, hit that as only the Dutch East India Company could—half-assedly.
But it's been proposed that the founding population of a city or nation bestow upon it its' physic being, its' very mindset and soul. I mean, I think anyone who's ever tried to find a bar open past 12 am in Boston can agree. And New York is Very, Very Dutch. And by Dutch, I really mean hodgepodge. In an era where diversity was seen as a surefire way to weaken a state, this was a place that 18 different languages could be heard in a population of only 500. This is a place where Peter Stuyvesant was overruled when he tried to throw 24 Sephardic Jewish refugees from Brazil out of the New Amsterdam because of the Dutch Law of Conscience. It was a place of tolerance; and by "tolerance" I mean "I hate you but I'll tolerate your presence in MY city cause I'm just trying to make a buck here"—and that my friends is the truest of New York sentiments.
But I've gotten ahead of myself, because really the entire point of this post is that I intend on celebrating this city's fine history! And you're invited to join me! So, peruse the following events, and if you can come with, drop me a line!
Saturday, Sept. 12th, approximately 11 am-ish. Museum of the City of New York:
Amsterdam/New Amsterdam: The Worlds of Henry Hudson
Objects, images and documents from the 16th century and discussions of Henry Hudson's transatlantic voyage examine the relationship between New Amsterdam and New York.
Manhattana/Manhattan
This exhibition explores what the island of Manhattan (or Mannahatta, as it was known by the Native Americans) looked like when Henry Hudson arrived with his crew in 1609.
Dutch Seen: New York Rediscovered
Dutch photographers peer through their camera lenses and create a portrait of New York as it is today
I've been meaning to go to this Museum for ages now, and with two of their Dutch New York exhibits closing this months, one MUST strike while the iron is hot!
Tuesday Sept. 8th – Monday Sept. 14, , Battery Park/Bowling Green
New Amsterdam Village
To showcase traditional Dutch products and crafts, the New Amsterdam Village boasts 12 traditional Dutch houses, shoemaking demonstrations, Dutch food, a greenhouse and a windmill.
Thursday, Sept. 17th, 6:30 pm: Lower East Side Tenement Museum:
Mannahatta: Early New York City with Eric Sanderson and Douglas Hunter, in Conversation with Robert Sullivan
Tenement Talks presents a natural history of New York City with two leading historians.
The Tenement Talks are always a good way to spend the evening; there's an AMAZING gelateria next to the Tenement Museum, and they also offer wine for the suggested donation of $1. Get there no later than 6pm, though, as these evenings tend to be popular.