Curated OER
The Restoration Colonies
Explore the earliest American cities in this presentation, which details the demographics, geography, and characteristics of New York, Pennsylvania, and the Carolinas, among others. These slides help to fill in the gap between the...
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: New Netherland and Maryland
Hired by the Dutch East India Company, Henry Hudson in 1609 explored the area around what is now New York City and the river that bears his name, to a point probably north of present-day Albany, New York. Subsequent Dutch voyages laid...
University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame: The New Netherland Colony
After a fairly detailed introduction of Dutch history, this site gives in-depth information about the founding of the colony of New Netherlands and the Dutch West India Company. It discusses the political, social, and economic aspects of...
Other
New Netherland Institute: Virtual Tour of New Netherland
A comprehensive site on the colonization of New Netherland by the Dutch. Find maps, pictures, and artifacts on this interesting tour.
Other
New Netherland Institute: What Was New Netherland?
Provides a detailed history of New Netherland. Looks at why it was founded, where settlers came from, how they reached there, why they came, their homes, occupations, possessions, diet, childhood, school, play, and what eventually...
Other
Adriaen Block, the Discovery of Long Island Sound and the New Netherlands Colony
An interesting and comprehensive essay on Adriaen Block, the development of New Netherlands, Dutch trade, and the impact of the Little Ice Age in Europe on fur trade in North America.
National Geographic
National Geographic: Society: A History of Trade in New York City
A lesson based on the New York City seal that explores the trading relationship between the Dutch and Native Americans in New Amsterdam.
Library of Congress
Loc: Today in History: May 4: Early Manhattan & Bird Day
Read about the early history of New York City and a special day in May called Bird Day. Page contains images and hyperlinks to other resources, such as historical maps and documents.
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Interactive Map: Manhattan in 1609: Dutch New York
Explore Dutch New York through this historical interactive map and learn what wildlife, landscape, and people lived there in 1609 compared with today. Click on 'Interactives' for additional resources, e.g., a 1626 letter from Peter...
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: The First Dutch Settlers
Read about the Dutch colonization of the Hudson River Valley in this comprehensive essay about the Dutch in America. Pages 3-7 deal with the Dutch colonies.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: New Netherland and Maryland
Find out about Dutch exploration and settlement in the area explored by Henry Hudson. Scrolling through will take you to information about New Netherland and the settling of New Sweden which later became Maryland.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Early Dutch Colonies
Information about Dutch colonization in America. There is mention of Peter Minuit and Peter Stuyvesant.
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: The Towns of New Netherland
Essay on the growth and development of towns settled by the Dutch in and around present day New York City. The author provides interesting details about leaders and landmarks.
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: The End of New Netherland
Essay on the fight between Dutch and British colonial powers over New Amsterdam which eventually resulted in British dominance and the renaming of New Netherland to New York.
Digital History
Digital History: The Middle Colonies: New York
Despite the title of this article, it discusses the settlement of New Netherland by the Dutch and explains the reasons for the settlement, and why settlers were not attracted to the area.
Library of Congress
Loc: Exploration and Settlement: Duke's Map of New York
A Dutch map from 1661 showing New Amsterdam. Part of a map collection from the British Library.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Middle Colonies: New Netherland to New York
Ironically, Henry Hudson, English explorer, was in the employ of the Dutch West India Company when he explored what is now the New York area. Read about the colony the Dutch established at the mouth of the Hudson River and see how the...
Other
On the Trail of Our Ancestors: Courtship and Marriage Customs
Site provides a history of courtship and marriage customs in the Dutch colonies of New York, beginning in the early to mid-1600s.
PBS
Pbs: Cet: Africans in America: The First Slave Auction at New Amsterdam in 1655
This website contains a general description of the time and reason for the first large slave auction held in the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam. Click on Teacher's Guide for teaching resources.
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: Failure of West Indian Company Farming
Chronicles the begining of company farming in the United States and what led to its faliure. Click on "next" at the bottom of each page to get more of this essay. In-depth information.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Peter Stuyvesant
This site from Wikipedia describes the life of Peter Stuyvesant, his accomplishments as governor of New Amsterdam (New York), and his life before he became governor.
Other
On the Trail of Our Ancestors: A Bit of Dutch History
An article on the Dutch Republic and the establishment and settlement of a Dutch colony in what later became the English colony of New Jersey.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Land of the Brave: Peter Minuit
Overview and biographical facts on the life of Peter Minuit, the Dutch colonist who bought Manhattan from the Native Americans.