Four hundred years ago, the Dutch purchased the island of Manhattan was what is most often referred to as “$24 worth of beads and trinkets.” But what really happened on that fateful day in 1626?

Historian James Nevius, whose ancestors were among the early settlers in New Amsterdam, will explore not only what actually happened in Manhattan four centuries ago (if it even did happen in Manhattan), but will delve into why this particular myth has proved to be so enduring. Drawing on family history, archival research (including in the collections of the New York Historical) and on the new exhibition Old Masters, New Amsterdam, Nevius will paint a picture of what life was like in this frontier town on the edge of the Dutch mercantile empire.

$22 per person (which includes all fees).

PLEASE NOTE: A recording of the lecture will be available approximately 24 hours after the presentation. This video will be hosted on Vimeo and a separate email with a link to the recording will be sent to all registrants.

Each ticket covers one (1) registered device. You do not need to watch the lecture as it is happening if that's inconvenient for you -- approxmately 24 hours after the talk, a link will be emailed to all registered participants so that you can watch the talk at your leisure on Vimeo. Your registration will appear on your credit card statement as “Michelle Nevius.”

photo credit: James Nevius