Holland Society of New York facts for kids
The Holland Society of New York is a history club that started in New York City in 1885. Its main mission is to learn about and protect the history of New Netherland. This was a Dutch colony in North America a long time ago.
The society studies the lives of the people who lived in the colony. It looks at how they lived, their government, and their beliefs. The group also helps people research their family history and publishes books and articles about the past.
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What Does the Holland Society Do?
The Holland Society of New York works to keep the story of New Netherland alive. It collects and saves information about the Dutch colony that existed in parts of North America during the 1600s.
The New Netherland Project
One of the society's most important jobs was starting the New Netherland Project in 1974. This project takes old, 17th-century records from the New York State Archives and translates them from Dutch into English. This helps historians and students today understand what life was like back then.
Who Can Join the Society?
To become a member, a person must be able to prove they are a direct descendant of someone who lived in New Netherland before or during the year 1675. This means they can trace their family tree all the way back to one of the early Dutch colonists. Both men and women can join.
Famous Members Through History
Over the years, many famous people have been members of the Holland Society. Some of them include:
- Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th U.S. President
- Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd U.S. President
- Humphrey Bogart, a famous actor from classic movies
- Henry Fonda, another well-known actor
- Cecil B. DeMille, a famous movie director
- John Updike, a celebrated author
A Library Full of History
The society has its own library filled with about 7,000 books. These books cover topics like local history, family histories, and genealogy (the study of family ancestry).
The library also has special collections of old letters, photographs, and newspaper articles. These items give a special look into the past and the families who lived in New Netherland.
See also
In Spanish: Sociedad Holandesa de Nueva York para niños
