Commemorating the establishment of the greatest multi-national city in North America
The 400th Anniversary of the Unity of the City of New York
Commemorating the 400th
By the year 1664 many different nationalities—the Indigenous People, every European country, and the African enslaved—lived and built a community together in one place. We are commemorating how these diverse cultures became 'one' and created the City of New York

The 400th Anniversary Commemorating the
Founding and the Unity of the City of New York

The establishment of New York belongs to many, and that is what we aim to honor—the many different groups who came together and became New Yorkers.

In 1624, the Dutch West India Company brought 30 predominantly French Huguenot families on the ship New Netherland to establish one of the earlist Dutch settlements in America on Nutten (now Governors) Island. The following year, in 1625, Fort Amsterdam was constructed a short distance across the water on Mannahatta (now Manhattan Island) where the current Customs House on Bowling Green is now situated. In 1626, Peter Minuit negotiated with the Indigenous Lenape People for the right to use Manhattan Island, which led to a permanent settlement there.

By the time the colony of New Amsterdam was taken over by the British in 1664, it had grown to 9,000 people comprised of Dutch, English, Welsh, Irish, Scot, German, French Huguenots, Sephardic Jews, Africans, and many other nationalities in between.

The history of this colony is rich with greatness and good, and like any other culture, is riddled with sadness and sin. The upcoming events are meant to honor and commemorate all of their stories: the triumphs, struggles, sacrifices, oppressions, successes, and greatness. Even though New Amsterdam was a Dutch colony, the diversity of people instinctively integrated their cultures together. There were conflicts along the way, but ultimately, they united and built a new city in a new land.

Join us in sharing the history of this great city in our upcoming events.

Timeline

1609
Explorer & Captain
HENRY HUDSON

The Captain of the Halve Maen explored and laid the groundwork for Dutch colonization of the area from Manhattan to Albany 

Nationality: English
Sailed for: the Netherlands

1613
Dutch ship 'Tyger' Burned
ADRIAEN BLOCK

After the Dutch ship, Tyger, burned in 1613, Adriaen Block, his crew, and the Lenape People helped build the Onrust. It was the first ship and trading vessel constructed in New York State 

Nationality: Dutch
Sailed for: the Netherlands

1613
1st Non-indigenous inhabitant
JUAN RODRIGUEZ

The first mixed race man and non-indigenous inhabitant who arrived on the ship, Tyger, and stayed behind.  He worked for the first Dutch fur trading post in Lower Manhattan

READ MORE

Nationality: Portuguese & West African, born in Santo Domingo

1624
Explorer & Captain
CORNELIUS JACOBSZ MAY

May captained the ship, Nieu Nederlandt, bringing Flemish Wallon families to Nutten (Governor's) Island making it the first Dutch colony in America

Nationality: Dutch
Sailed for: the Netherlands

1625
Engineer of New Netherland
CRYN FREDERICKSZ

Fredericksz was the chief engineer of the New Netherland colony. He was the designer and builder of Fort Amsterdam, located at the tip of Manhattan

Nationality: Dutch
Worked for: the Netherlands

1626
Director of New Netherland
PETER MINUIT

As the third Director General, he negotiated with the Indigenous Lenape People, to acquire the rights to settle on Manhattan Island

READ MORE

Nationality: French Huguenot-Wesel, Germany
Worked for:
the Netherlands

1627
ENSLAVED AFRICANS
ENSLAVED AFRICANS ARRIVE

In 1626, a Dutch Privateering vessel brought a group of African people to New Amsterdam. These men and women were the first enslaved Africans in New Netherland.

Events

Save the Dates!

If you would like to volunteer to help with our events please fill out this form.

1624 - 2024

Governor's Island
The First Dutch Settlement in North America - Nutten Island

1625 - 2025

The New York Customs House
The Establishment of Fort Amsterdam

1626 - 2026

New York Customs House
Peter Minuit Negotiated with the Indigenous Lenape People for the Rights to Use Manhattan Island

Categories

Museum Hours

9:30–6:00, Monday Until 8:00

Museum Location

2270 S Real Camino Lake California

The Loquet Museum fuels a journey of discovery across time to enable
solutions for a brighter future rich in nature and culture.