Classroom Materials Online
The following organizations provide teachers with high quality educational content and classroom materials on the history of New Netherland and the origins of the United States.
New Amsterdam History Center
The New Amsterdam History Center undertakes public and educational initiatives to encourage exploration of the early history of New Amsterdam and New York City. The organization provides free downloadable lesson plans for three grades, each focusing on a different aspect of New Amsterdam's history:
4th grade curriculum: Survive and Thrive - Dutch Settlers in New Amsterdam
7th grade curriculum: Justice, Courage and Community - Dutch Settlers in New Amsterdam, circa 1641
11th grade curriculum: Exploring New Amsterdam's Trade and Commerce - A Research Project.
New Netherland Museum and Half Moon
The New Netherland Museum operates the Half Moon, a full-scale replica of the ship in which Henry Hudson and his crew sailed up the river that bears his name and a traveling museum. Along with a free, sample 7th grade lesson, the New Netherland Museum offers two interdisciplinary curriculum guides for purchase:
4th Grade: New Netherland - An Exploration of Past and Present
7th Grade: New Netherland - An Exploration of a Dutch Colonial Settlement
The New York State Archives - Throughout the Ages
The Archives' Throughout the Ages website is a visual education resource for teachers. It is designed to help teachers use historical records as learning tools in pre-K through grade 6 classrooms. Records relevant to the history of New Netherland include a statue of Henry Hudson, a portrait of Petrus Stuyvesant, an early map of New Netherland, and translations of historic documents. The Build Your Own Worksheet tool allows teachers to customize worksheets while creating their own lessons around documents and/or images. The Archives also offers instructional videos that provide helpful hints on how to integrate primary sources into classroom instruction.
New York State Education Department - Champlain/Hudson/Fulton Commemoration
To commemorate the 2009 Champlain/Hudson/Fulton anniversaries, the New York State Education Department developed a series of instructional modules and historical overviews exploring such topics as Henry Hudson’s explorations, encounters between Indians and Dutch settlers, and daily life in New Amsterdam. The modules include lessons designed for elementary, middle, and high school classrooms.
Online Exhibits
Arent van Curler & the Flatts
History, Archaeology & Art illuminate a Life on the Hudson
Online Exhibits
A Tour of New Netherland
Wander a lost world stretching from Connecticut to Delaware
Historical Timelines
Timeline of the Netherlands & Scandinavia in North America
A pictorial walk through time
About the New Netherland Institute
For over three decades, NNI has helped cast light on America's Dutch roots. In 2010, it partnered with the New York State Office of Cultural Education to establish the New Netherland Research Center, with matching funds from the State of the Netherlands. NNI is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. More
The New Netherland Research Center
Housed in the New York State Library, the NNRC offers students, educators, scholars and researchers a vast collection of early documents and reference works on America's Dutch era. More
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Dutch American Group (DAG)
To learn more about the Dutch American Group or to join go to DAG
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By supporting NNI you help increase awareness of the 17th century Dutch colony of New Netherland and its legacy in America.