New Netherland Museum

Mission

• We share and celebrate the historic contributions of New Netherland and connect diverse peoples to a common heritage, strengthening our communities and our futures.
• Encourage our communities to engage with our past and with our future.
• Explore the ethnically and religiously diverse inhabitants of New Netherland and their worldwide connections.
• Inspire appreciation for the foundational role of New Netherland in the creation of the values of American society.
• Provide appealing educational programs to advance understanding of the influence and importance of New Netherland.
• Connect the world today with the communities of New Netherland today.

The replica ship was built at Albany, N.Y. at the initiative of one man, Dr Andrew A. Hendricks. Upon her completion in 1989 he graciously donated the Halve Maen to the not-for-profit organization, The New Netherland Museum, which he also established that same year to manage the ship.

The ship construction fulfilled Dr. Hendricks dream to use the historic icon as an educational instrument to help underscore the important Dutch contribution to the American way of life and today serves the museum not just as a historic icon, not just as a symbol of mutual heritage, or an prime instrument of education, but also as a catalyst for new Dutch-American cultural initiatives.

Dr. Andrew A. Hendricks