NYC Explores History Through New Exhibitions

From Dutch Settlement to Waterfront Evolution

New York City’s rich past is being brought to life through a series of engaging exhibitions and tours focusing on its Dutch origins, maritime heritage, and shifting waterfront landscape. These events offer a deep dive into the foundational elements that shaped the modern metropolis.

Unveiling “New Visions of Old New York”

An exhibition at the NYC Department of Records and Information Services, titled “New Visions of Old New York,” commemorates 400 years of Dutch settlement in Manhattan. This joint effort with the New Amsterdam History Center features an interactive 3-D map from the Mapping Early New York project alongside 17th-century Municipal Archives records. The exhibition illuminates the roles of women, enslaved people, and Native Americans in the development of the Dutch West India Company settlement.

This event is scheduled for Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at 2:30 PM. It is a free, in-person program requiring pre-registration.

“Maritime City” Highlights Port’s Influence

The Seaport Museum’s “Maritime City” exhibition, rescheduled from June, showcases how New York City’s identity as a global hub for culture and finance is rooted in its history as a seaport. The extensive three-floor display presents 540 objects from the museum’s collections and archives, illustrating the city’s emergence from the sea.

This tour takes place on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at 6 PM. It is also a free, in-person event with pre-registration necessary.

Waterfront History Explored in “Along the Hudson”

Author William Hennessey will present “Along the Hudson: Walking Manhattan’s Western Waterfront,” based on his recent book. This virtual journey traces the evolution of New York’s Hudson waterfront from the 17th century to today, with a special emphasis on Greenwich Village’s shoreline.

The online presentation is set for Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at 6 PM. It is free but requires pre-registration.

The Hudson River played a pivotal role in New York’s development, facilitating trade and transportation. Today, waterfront revitalization projects continue to transform these areas, with New York City investing significantly in public access and green spaces along its shores, exemplified by projects like Hudson River Park.

“Taking Manhattan” Examines Pivotal Era

Russell Shorto, in a virtual talk, will discuss his book “Taking Manhattan: The Extraordinary Events That Created New York and Shaped America.” The presentation centers on the 1664 English takeover of Dutch rule, an event that marked the beginning of New York and foreshadowed later societal divisions in America.

This virtual event is scheduled for Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 6 PM and is free with pre-registration.

“Deported from Greenwich Village” Features Eve Adams

A virtual presentation titled “Deported from Greenwich Village: The Story of Eve Adams Across Continents” will explore the life of Eve Adams. The talk will connect the bohemian scene of Greenwich Village with the Second World War, highlighting Adams’s fight for freedom of expression and identity, and the Village’s role as a haven and battleground for queer visibility and immigrant survival.

This presentation is free and requires pre-registration.