Traveling exhibit features Dutch explorers, settlers

A special Quadricentennial text and graphic exhibit featuring early Dutch explorers and settlers is being shown in three Dutchess County locations today through mid-October.

The exhibit was created by the New Netherland Institute and is being presented free of charge thanks to Dutchess County Tourism and four partners in Dutchess County.

"Light on New Netherland," openstoday at the Lathrop Center in Pawling where it will stay for a week before moving on to Rhinecliff and then Beacon.

The exhibit has 14 double-sided panels with text and graphics, each panel tackles one historic topic, including Patria, Seaborne Empire, Ships and Sailing, the Atlantic World, the West India Company, New Netherland, New Amsterdam, Fort Nassau, Fort Orange and Beverwijck, Patroons, Wiltwijck, Long Island, New England, New Sweden, Schenectady, Sewant, Agriculture, Personalities (Hudson, Minuit, and Stuyvesant), the People of New Netherland, Family Life, Religion, Slavery, the Fur Trade, Relations with the Indians, Education, and the Dutch Legacy.

Robert E. Mulligan, retired history curator at the New York State Museum is the curator.

Many of the illustrations are the work of Len Tantillo, premier artist of New Netherland, and original graphics are by Chuck Gravina. Len Tantillo is an Albany artist who specializes in Hudson Valley maritime and Colonial New York art.