NY Quadricentennial Archive
2009 marked the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s historic journey up the river that would eventually bear his name. In celebration, the Dutch and New York state and local governments collaborated on an unprecedented year-long series of events — NY400 — that took place in New York City, throughout the state and in the Netherlands. The mission of NY400 was to celebrate “the free spirit, openness, entrepreneurship and tolerance of those Dutch-American pioneers, and their continued relevance today and beyond.”
Arthur’s NY400 Events
As one of the very few historic interpreters and artisans who offers programs and exhibits centered on the Dutch colonial period of New York, Arthur Kirmss is involved in many NY400 events happening throughout the state. If you would like more information about Arthur’s programs, bookings, etc., write to [email protected] or call (718) 628-0818.
April 23-25, 2009
Waters That Are Never Still: The Way of the Wampum
Smithsonian, National Museum of the American Indian
Created a set of wampum-making tools and beads for the museum, and provided instruction on how wampum was made, including the use of the bow drill, to educational staff.
May 30, 2009, 12:00 – 5:00 PM
Dutch Heritage Day
Poughkeepsie Plaza Mall, Poughkeepsie, NY
Co-sponsored by Historic Horton House in Wappingers Falls, it commemorates Henry Hudson’s voyage up the Hudson River. Visitors can learn about the influence that Dutch settlers had on the Hudson Valley, including a skit on Henry Hudson’s sail, an exact replica of the Half Moon ship, colonial games, craft demonstrations, music performances and more. Arthur demonstrated wampum making and exhibited 17th century Dutch and colonial artifacts.
June 13-14, 2009
Dutch Culture Festival at the Senate House
The Senate House State Historic Site, Kingston, NY
Outdoor festival of Dutch history and culture. On Saturday, June 13, crafts and cooking demonstrations by the Scions of Patria, firings of flintlock guns, historical music and dance demos, a Dutch peddler, talks and tours, plus wampum maker Arthur Kirmss.
July 4-5, 2009, 11:00 – 4:00 PM
A Sweet and Alien Land: Colony of the Dutch in the Hudson River Valley
Crailo State Historic Site, Rensselaer, NY
Grand reopening of the Crailo State Historic Site with public festivities and open house. Arthur was there July 5th demonstrating wampum making and exhibiting 17th century Dutch and colonial artifacts.
August 1 – November 16, 2009, Saturdays, 1:00 – 5:00 PM
Royal Roots Revisited: Saluting the Dutch House of Orange-Nassau
Vander Ende Onderdonk House, Ridgewood NY
At the newly decorated 1709 Vander Ende-Onderdonk House, commemorative silverware, decorative arts, coinage and important archival photographs described the Dutch Royal Family's connection with New York since explorer Henry Hudson's landmark 1609 voyage. Curated by Matthew Jensen with the assistance of Arthur Kirmss, Ellen Brody-Kirmss, Meghan Harkins, John Ogren and Stan Parchin.
August 16, 2009, 12:00 – 6:00 PM
Bethlehem Voyage 400
Henry Hudson Park, Bethlehem, NY
An all-day family festival at Henry Hudson Park from 12:00-6:00 PM. Boat rides, vendors, historical presentations, food, children’s activities, entertainment, and more. Arthur demonstrated wampum making and exhibited 17th century Dutch and colonial artifacts.
August 22, 2009, 11:00 – 5:00 PM
Dutch Heritage Event
Dutch Reformed Church, Poughkeepsie, NY
National historic designation of the Dutch Reformed Church; period reenactment of a Dutch wedding; opening of Dutch Village; and lecture on colonial through contemporary Dutch architecture. Arthur demonstrated wampum making and exhibited 17th century Dutch and colonial artifacts.
September 5-7, 2009, 10:00 – 6:00 PM
Green Corn Festival
Philipsburg Manor, Sleepy Hollow, NY
Explored the history and culture of the area's Native American residents including folk tales, song, and storytelling, and a participatory presentation of traditional Native American dance, plus open-hearth cooking demonstrations, games, live music, and hands-on craft activities for children. Arthur demonstrated wampum making and exhibited 17th century Dutch, Native American and colonial artifacts.
September 12, 2009, 12:00 – 3:00 PM
Riverfest
Philipse Manor Hall, Yonkers, NY
Arthur demonstrated wampum making and exhibited 17th century Dutch, Native American and colonial artifacts.
September 26, 2009, 11:00 – 4:00 PM
Crossroads in History
Town Hall, Hyde Park, NY
Arthur demonstrated wampum making and exhibited 17th century Dutch, Native American and colonial artifacts.
October 18, 2009, 12:00 – 4:00 PM
Western Frontier Symposium
Crailo State Historic Site, Rensselaer, NY
Arthur demonstrated wampum making and exhibited 17th century Dutch, Native American and colonial artifacts.
November 13, 2009, details TBA
5 Dutch Days: Music by Courante
ING Direct Café, 58th Street & Third Avenue, Manhattan
Arthur and his ensemble Courante performed popular Dutch instrumental house music of the 16th and 17th century.
November 14, 2009, 6:00 – 8:00 PM
5 Dutch Days: Saluting the Dutch House of Orange-Nassau
Vander Ende-Onderdonk House, 1820 Flushing Avenue, Ridgewood (Queens)
Arthur joined curator and scholar Matt Jensen to discuss their exhibit of commemorative silverware, decorative arts, coinage and ephemera celebrating the Dutch Royal Family.
2009 marked the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s historic journey up the river that would eventually bear his name. In celebration, the Dutch and New York state and local governments collaborated on an unprecedented year-long series of events — NY400 — that took place in New York City, throughout the state and in the Netherlands. The mission of NY400 was to celebrate “the free spirit, openness, entrepreneurship and tolerance of those Dutch-American pioneers, and their continued relevance today and beyond.”
Arthur’s NY400 Events
As one of the very few historic interpreters and artisans who offers programs and exhibits centered on the Dutch colonial period of New York, Arthur Kirmss is involved in many NY400 events happening throughout the state. If you would like more information about Arthur’s programs, bookings, etc., write to [email protected] or call (718) 628-0818.
April 23-25, 2009
Waters That Are Never Still: The Way of the Wampum
Smithsonian, National Museum of the American Indian
Created a set of wampum-making tools and beads for the museum, and provided instruction on how wampum was made, including the use of the bow drill, to educational staff.
May 30, 2009, 12:00 – 5:00 PM
Dutch Heritage Day
Poughkeepsie Plaza Mall, Poughkeepsie, NY
Co-sponsored by Historic Horton House in Wappingers Falls, it commemorates Henry Hudson’s voyage up the Hudson River. Visitors can learn about the influence that Dutch settlers had on the Hudson Valley, including a skit on Henry Hudson’s sail, an exact replica of the Half Moon ship, colonial games, craft demonstrations, music performances and more. Arthur demonstrated wampum making and exhibited 17th century Dutch and colonial artifacts.
June 13-14, 2009
Dutch Culture Festival at the Senate House
The Senate House State Historic Site, Kingston, NY
Outdoor festival of Dutch history and culture. On Saturday, June 13, crafts and cooking demonstrations by the Scions of Patria, firings of flintlock guns, historical music and dance demos, a Dutch peddler, talks and tours, plus wampum maker Arthur Kirmss.
July 4-5, 2009, 11:00 – 4:00 PM
A Sweet and Alien Land: Colony of the Dutch in the Hudson River Valley
Crailo State Historic Site, Rensselaer, NY
Grand reopening of the Crailo State Historic Site with public festivities and open house. Arthur was there July 5th demonstrating wampum making and exhibiting 17th century Dutch and colonial artifacts.
August 1 – November 16, 2009, Saturdays, 1:00 – 5:00 PM
Royal Roots Revisited: Saluting the Dutch House of Orange-Nassau
Vander Ende Onderdonk House, Ridgewood NY
At the newly decorated 1709 Vander Ende-Onderdonk House, commemorative silverware, decorative arts, coinage and important archival photographs described the Dutch Royal Family's connection with New York since explorer Henry Hudson's landmark 1609 voyage. Curated by Matthew Jensen with the assistance of Arthur Kirmss, Ellen Brody-Kirmss, Meghan Harkins, John Ogren and Stan Parchin.
August 16, 2009, 12:00 – 6:00 PM
Bethlehem Voyage 400
Henry Hudson Park, Bethlehem, NY
An all-day family festival at Henry Hudson Park from 12:00-6:00 PM. Boat rides, vendors, historical presentations, food, children’s activities, entertainment, and more. Arthur demonstrated wampum making and exhibited 17th century Dutch and colonial artifacts.
August 22, 2009, 11:00 – 5:00 PM
Dutch Heritage Event
Dutch Reformed Church, Poughkeepsie, NY
National historic designation of the Dutch Reformed Church; period reenactment of a Dutch wedding; opening of Dutch Village; and lecture on colonial through contemporary Dutch architecture. Arthur demonstrated wampum making and exhibited 17th century Dutch and colonial artifacts.
September 5-7, 2009, 10:00 – 6:00 PM
Green Corn Festival
Philipsburg Manor, Sleepy Hollow, NY
Explored the history and culture of the area's Native American residents including folk tales, song, and storytelling, and a participatory presentation of traditional Native American dance, plus open-hearth cooking demonstrations, games, live music, and hands-on craft activities for children. Arthur demonstrated wampum making and exhibited 17th century Dutch, Native American and colonial artifacts.
September 12, 2009, 12:00 – 3:00 PM
Riverfest
Philipse Manor Hall, Yonkers, NY
Arthur demonstrated wampum making and exhibited 17th century Dutch, Native American and colonial artifacts.
September 26, 2009, 11:00 – 4:00 PM
Crossroads in History
Town Hall, Hyde Park, NY
Arthur demonstrated wampum making and exhibited 17th century Dutch, Native American and colonial artifacts.
October 18, 2009, 12:00 – 4:00 PM
Western Frontier Symposium
Crailo State Historic Site, Rensselaer, NY
Arthur demonstrated wampum making and exhibited 17th century Dutch, Native American and colonial artifacts.
November 13, 2009, details TBA
5 Dutch Days: Music by Courante
ING Direct Café, 58th Street & Third Avenue, Manhattan
Arthur and his ensemble Courante performed popular Dutch instrumental house music of the 16th and 17th century.
November 14, 2009, 6:00 – 8:00 PM
5 Dutch Days: Saluting the Dutch House of Orange-Nassau
Vander Ende-Onderdonk House, 1820 Flushing Avenue, Ridgewood (Queens)
Arthur joined curator and scholar Matt Jensen to discuss their exhibit of commemorative silverware, decorative arts, coinage and ephemera celebrating the Dutch Royal Family.