A Virtual Learning Program for Grades 2 – 8
How did New Amsterdam develop here in Manhattan 400 years ago, how do we know, and how are the origins of New York City visible in our city today? Peel back the layers of history to learn about our city’s earliest days and the different cultures that met here.
Each video lesson is approximately 15 minutes long and features historical documents, images, and a journey to the Seaport itself.
Episode One – The Origins of New Amsterdam
Why did the Dutch establish a trading colony here, and how did the native Leni-Lenape interact with the colonists? Students virtually examine a beaver pelt and study a letter from 1626 to answer these questions.
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Episode Two – A Cultural Crossroads of Trade
A trading colony is for making money through goods. What was imported and exported in New Amsterdam? How did trade create interactions among different groups of people, including Africans, indigenous Americans, and different European nationals? Students will find out by examining historical documents, paintings, and items in their own homes.
COMING SOON