State History

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in New York State, Crailo State Historic Site presents “Women of New Netherland,” a new special tour focusing on the lives of women during the Dutch colonial period of New York State history. Tours will take place on Saturdays at 12:00 PM between June 3, 2017 and October 28, 2017.  (Note: The “Women of New Netherland” tour will not be offered during Crailo’s special events on June 17, August 12, and September 16.)

Using museum collections, artifacts, and historically recreated spaces, the “Women of New Netherland” tour tells the stories of the Dutch, Native American, and African women who called the Hudson River Valley home.  Visitors will learn about women’s everyday lives, their roles in the development of the trading colony of New Netherland, as well as the challenges Dutch women faced after the English takeover of New Netherland.  England and the Netherlands had different laws and traditions concerning women’s roles in society, and women’s lives changed dramatically when New Netherland became New York.  

The “Women of New Netherland,” also features a first-person interpreter. This “person from the past” will allow the visitor to step back in time and listen to a woman discuss her life – the mundane issues of running a household, the latest gossip and news -   the domestic delights, tragedies and annoyances of a Dutch colonial woman at the end of the 17th century.

Tours are $5.00 adults/ $4.00 seniors; children 12 and under are free 

Find more information on Crailo HERE.