32^nd Rensselaerswijck Seminar October 2 - October 3, 2009

                                                                                                                                                                     “Kiliaen van Rensselaer’s Colonie: The Beginning of European Settlement of the Upper Hudson":                                                                                                                                                                        The Seminar will begin Thursday evening with a lecture by Russell Shorto followed by book signings and a reception. The programs on Friday and Saturday will focus on the Rensselaerswijck patroonship and genealogical resources for tracing one’s Dutch ancestors both here and in the Netherlands. Speakers include Stefan Bielinski, Peter Christoph, Jan Folkerts, Henry Hoff, Nico Plomp, Oliver Rink, Martha Shattuck, Len Tantillo, Janny Venema,and Charles Gehring. As an added attraction, many of the authors of Explorers, Fortunes, and Love Letters: A Window on New Netherland will participate in a roundtable discussion of their current research activities. William ‘Chip’ Reynolds, captain of the Half Moon will be the featured speaker at the New Netherland dinner Saturday evening.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   In addition to the seminar programs, there will be an opportunity to visit Albany’s First Dutch Reformed Church, participate in an AquaDuck tour of Albany, a guided tour of Hudson River Panorama: 400 Years of History, Art, and Culture, see an exhibition at the Albany Institute of History and Art, and view an orientation film on the city of Albany.

Albany visitor information - lodging, dining, sightseeing.