Crailo Historical Site just south of Albany, NY, hosted a Harvest Fair event on a hot, sunny day in September. The site itself is a house and museum which serves to educate people about the Dutch colony of New Netherland, which extended from New Jersey, Long Island, and up the Hudson to about this northern point. The Dutch presence here was manifested in the form of the corporation of New Netherland, the Dutch West India Company, where furs and maritime commerce constituted the bulk of the settlements' trade. Careful planning, clever business deals, and a spate of good luck meant that most Dutch colonists were pretty well off compared to some of the English settlements which were beset with Indian wars and periods of starvation. In 1664, at the conclusion of the Anglo-Dutch War, New Netherland was taken by England and named in honor of the king's brother James, Duke of York.
In 2016, visitors from the area came to see some displays about European and Indian life in 17th Century New Netherland. John V.V. went to visit with Dawn E., of the Scions of Patria historical group in the uniform of the regiment's first overseas service, the War of Spanish Succession (1702-1715), which was not tremendously different from the uniforms employed in the 1690's.
The site was well attended with demonstrators doing period cooking, crafts, military exercises, selling items, and the site was very kind in providing free ice cream and drinks--something much welcomed given the heat. All in all, a pleasant excursion!
In 2016, visitors from the area came to see some displays about European and Indian life in 17th Century New Netherland. John V.V. went to visit with Dawn E., of the Scions of Patria historical group in the uniform of the regiment's first overseas service, the War of Spanish Succession (1702-1715), which was not tremendously different from the uniforms employed in the 1690's.
The site was well attended with demonstrators doing period cooking, crafts, military exercises, selling items, and the site was very kind in providing free ice cream and drinks--something much welcomed given the heat. All in all, a pleasant excursion!