Peaches, Pears, and Purslane: Recreating Dutch Gardens in 17th-Century New Amsterdam

A reconstruction of the city of New Amsterdam in 3D, incorporating the latest seed and pollen research, provides remarkable new insights on the rapidly changing urban geography and ecology of early 17th-century Manhattan and its horticultural traditions. What did the Dutch gardens look like, how were they planted, and what was their function? Featuring both native and newly imported plant materials for much needed sustenance, these gardens were influenced by Dutch botany and garden design, as well as Native American planting and food traditions. Toya Dubin, Director of the New Amsterdam History Center’s Mapping Early New York Project, and Eric Sanderson, Vice President of Urban Conservation at the New York Botanical Garden and author of Mannahatta: A Natural History of New York City, explore these and other questions, including challenges to sustainability in this period, known as the Little Ice Age.

Following the presentations, Rhonda Evans, Director of the Mertz Library, shows important 17th-century Dutch books on horticulture and garden design from the historical collections.

A walking tour of the premises and Daffodil Hill closes the morning’s program.