The 400th Anniversary Commemorating the
Founding and the Unity of the City of New York
In 1624, the Dutch West India Company brought 30, predominantly French Huguenot, families on the ship, New Netherland, to establish the first Dutch settlement in America on Nutten (now Governors) Island off the southern tip of Manhattan. The following year in 1625, Fort Amsterdam was constructed a short distance across the water on Manhattan Island where the current Customs House on Bowling Green is now situated. In 1626, Peter Minuit negotiated with the indigenous Lenape People the right to use Manhattan Island which ensured 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, the majority of whom were Dutch, English, Welsh, Irish, Scots, 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
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
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
The first black 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
Nationality: Portuguese & West African, born in Santo Domingo
1624
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
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
In 1626, the Dutch West India Company purchased sixteen black people from Portuguese pirates. These men and women were the first enslaved Africans in New Netherland.
1626
As the third Director General, he negotiated with the Indigenous Americans, the Lenape Tribe, to acquire the rights to settle on Manhattan Island
Nationality: German
Worked for: the Netherlands
