State History

This article originally appeared in a New Netherland Institute newsletter.

It with distinct pleasure that the New Netherland Institute announces the appointment of Ms. Deborah Hamer, Ph.D., as a Director, New Netherland Institute (NNI)  effective November 1, 2021. Deborah is no stranger to NNI. Deborah was a recipient of NNI's Hendricks Award for the best manuscript on New Netherland and the Dutch world. Deborah has recently been working with Dr. Gehring developing a timeline for 1621-1629. Since receiving her Ph.D. from Columbia, Deborah has been and continues to be a strong advocate for the significance of New Netherland to New York State and colonial American history.

Deborah has served as the editor of the Gotham Blog for New York City History and also solicits, develops, and edits contributions from historians that focus on the rich history of New Amsterdam and its connections to the 17th century Dutch Atlantic world. Deborah has close connections and professional relationships with other institutional players, such as the Omohundro Institute and the McNeil Center of Early American History. This past summer Deborah established and convened a new seminar series for NNI to disseminate knowledge about the colony of New Netherland and its intertwined history with indigenous peoples of the Hudson River Valley. Deborah has received numerous awards and fellowships during her career.

Deborah received a Bachelor’s degree from Brandeis University (Summa cum laude with high honors), and her Master's degree and Ph.D. from Columbia University. Deborah will have numerous responsibilities as Director of NNI. These responsibilities (at minimum) include NNI operations, fund raising, programs and events, and working with Mike Vande Woude on the opportunity to expand the Dutch American Group (DAG) membership and recruiting guest speakers to participate in our quarterly calls. She will work with Charles Gehring, Director of the New Netherland Research Center and other members of the NYS Education Department, Office of Cultural Education (OCE) and the NNI Team to promote, expand, and develop access to resources in OCE, the nation's largest repository of documents, artifacts and special collections that document New Netherland.

We are excited to make this announcement and look forward to Deborah's knowledge and energy. Please join me in welcoming Deborah to NNI.

Marilyn E. Douglas, President