350th
Anniversary of the Flushing Remonstrance: 1657-2007
A celebration of a document and the principles it embodies
The Flushing Remonstrance was a forerunner to the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution that gives people the freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. On December 27, 1657, it was signed by 30 Flushing residents who risked fines and banishment imposed by Governor Peter Stuyvesant in order to state their call for freedom
What follows is a list of programs and events surrounding the declaration of this important document in our nation's history. * notes
- For an Educational Curriculum that can be used for Elementary, Middle
and High School Students, click here
- For Research Papers published about the Remonstrance and other events of
that period in history, click here
- For more information on Queens events, visit www.discoverqueens.info
- For more information on the history of the Remonstrance Document, click
here
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Helen M. Marshall, President of the Borough of Queens, looks upon the original document in the Queens Library at Flushing. |
List still in formation - please check back often!
2008
April 2008
Commemorating the 350th Anniversary of the Flushing Remonstrance 1:
Religious Freedom in North Flushing (North of the LIRR)
In 1657 residents of Flushing petitioned the Dutch colonial government to uphold freedom of conscience and permit religious pluralism. Today's Flushing is a remarkable outcome of this policy. Every major religion in the world has a substantial church, mosque or temple in the vicinity. We'll tour some of the diversity on foot and visit the Quaker Meeting House (1692), the oldest house of worship in NY State.
Sunday, April 20, 2008 1-3pm
Meets at St George's Church
39th Avenue and Main
Street (l block north of #7 Main St. station).
Sponsored by Municipal Art Society.
Fees: $12/15 (mem/non-mem.)
May 2008
Commemorating the 350th Anniversary of the Flushing Remonstrance 2:
Religious Freedom in South Flushing (South of the LIRR)
In 1657 residents of Flushing petitioned the Dutch colonial government to uphold freedom of conscience and permit religious pluralism. Today's Flushing is a remarkable outcome of this policy. Every major religion in the world has a substantial church, mosque or temple in the vicinity. We'll tour some of the diversity on foot, visit the premiere Hindu Temple and return via Flushing's South Asian commercial area.
Sunday, May 18, 2008 1-3pm
Meets at Flushing Library steps
Main Street & Kissena
Blvd. (l block south of #7 Main St. station).
Sponsored by Queens Historical
Society
Fees: $10/12 (mem/non-mem.)
FLUSHING REMONSTRANCE TRAVELING EXHIBIT
Queensborough Community College Holocaust Center.
The exhibition features 18 two-color, foam board panels with photos and narrative. A two-color 20-page booklet will accompany the exhibit, which packs, neatly into its own traveling trunk.
Dr. Arthur Flug,
aflug@qcc.cuny.edu
Queens Museum Exhibit on Religious Tolerance
MARCH – CALL FOR ART WORK FROM SCHOOLS. (All media disciplines)
APRIL 6 – JUNE 29 REMONSTRANCE AT THE QUEENS MUSEUM
MAY – ART WORK DISPLAYED AT QUEENS MUSEUM
Please review the events that have already taken place!
September 2007
WORD AND DEED: The Flushing Remonstrance and John Bowne
Presentations by: Carla Gardina Pestana, W.E. Smith Professor of History, Miami University, on the Quaker movement and their beliefs. Evan Haefeli, Professor of History, Columbia University, New York City on understanding the Remonstrance in the terms of the history of New Netherland, the rise of the Society of Friends and debates and struggles over religious toleration in Europe and America in the 17th Century. Daniel Hulsebosch, J.D. Ph.D., Professor, New York University School of Law on, “From the Flushing Remonstrance to the First Amendment: Imperial Politics and the Constitutionalization of Religious Freedom”.
Moderated by: Donald Friary, Director Emeritus, Historic Deerfield
September 24, 2007 6:30 – 8:30PM
The Gotham Center Recital Hall
CUNY Graduate Center
365 Fifth Avenue, Room 6103
New York, NY
Free but reservations necessary by calling Donna Cartelli
718-359-0528
dcartelli@bownehouse.org
WORD AND DEED: The Flushing Remonstrance and John
Bowne
Same Program as above.
September 25, 2007, 6-8PM
Quaker Meeting House
137-16 Northern Blvd.
Flushing, NY 11354
Free but reservations necessary by calling Donna Cartelli
718-359-0528
dcartelli@bownehouse.org
PROJECT DIVERSITY
Showcasing Queens dynamic multicultural style presented by the Queens Council
on the Arts. A multimedia art exhibition by 87 Queens artists at 13 Queens
galleries. See the website for locations and times.
August 27 – November 15
718-647-3377
www.queenscouncilarts.org
TRAVELING THROUGH TIME: New Amsterdam – New York
For grades K-8, teaches students to understand how and why New Amsterdam became New York as they tour the Trade and New York Interiors exhibitions. Experience hands-on learning with objects representing the lifestyle of the New Amsterdam population.
This program is available Monday through Friday during morning, afternoon and after school hours. Call or email to schedule your visit.
Call the Museum of the City of New York
212-534-1672 ext. 3334
schwarzcenter@mcny.org
Fee $100
OCTOBER
FLUSHING REMONSTRANCE AND RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
Program presented by the Archives Partnership Trust in collaboration with
the New York State Historical Association and the New York Council for
the Humanities. The event features Dr. Charles Gehring, Director of the
New Netherland Institute; Robert Seiple, former U.S. Ambassador-at-large
for Religious Freedom and President of the Council for America’s First
Freedom; and Dr. Charles Haynes, Senior Scholar on Religious Freedom for
the Freedom Forum’s First Amendment Center. New York State Cultural Education
Center, Empire State Plaza, Albany.
October 11th, 7:30PM. Flushing Remonstrance on display.
For more information contact Robert Bullock,
Archives Parnership Trust
518-473-7105
rbullock@mail.nysed.gov
CONFERENCE ON THE QUEENS EXPERIENCE:
Historical perspectives on the development of Queens
Celebrating the 70th Anniversary of Queens College of the City of New York and the 350th Anniversary of the Flushing Remonstrance. Presented by the Queens Community Board Historians/Queens Borough President Helen M. Marshall, Queens Historical Society and the Central Queens Historical Association. Topics include economic development, community history, immigration, multicultural studies, family life, religious freedom and expression.
The Conference will be held at the Science Building
Queens College on
October 13, 2007, 8:30AM – 4PM
The event is free but registration is required by calling
718-939-0647 ext. 18 by October 10th
THE STORY OF THE FLUSHING REMONSTRANCE
A one act play presented by the Rockaway Theatre Company
and the Queens Historical Society.
October 14 at 2PM and 4PM
Quaker Meeting House
137-16 Northern Blvd.
Flushing, NY 11354
Free.
FLUSHING COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP SEMINAR WORKSHOP:
Building Bridges for our Future.
Presented by NYC Councilman, John Liu.
The participants will be representing established Flushing Constituencies, e.g.,civic groups, CB7, education, new immigrant business owners, and religious and cultural groups who will address strengthening the relationships between diverse community leaders through increased communication and identifying steps that would further negotiation and bridging of differences within the community among others. The general public is invited to observe.
October 23rd, 6 – 9PM
Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel
135-20 39th Avenue
Flushing, NY 11354
Free, but reservations necessary by calling Barbara Baruch
718-888-8747 x 115
barbara.baruch@council.nyc.ny.us
FIVE DUTCH DAYS FIVE BOROUGHS
Dutch arts and culture past and present is a citywide collaboration marking Dutch-American
Heritage Day and the continuous influence of Dutch arts and culture in New
York City.
November 14 – 18, 2007
PROJECT DIVERSITY
Showcasing Queens dynamic multicultural style presented by the Queens
Council on the Arts. A multimedia art exhibition by 87 Queens artists
at 13 Queens galleries. See the website for locations and times from
Aug. 27 - Nov. 15.
Now – November 15
718-647-3377
www.queenscouncilarts.org
THE FLUSHING REMONSTRANCE 1657:
Stuggle for Religious Tolerance in Colonial Flushing
Professor Evan Haefeli, Columbia University reveals the importance of
the Flushing Remonstrance, setting it within the context for and against
religious toleration in Europe and America. Presented by the Bowne House
Historical Society.
November 15, 6PM
New York Society for Ethical Culture
2 West 64th Street at Central Park West
New York, NY
Reservations: 718-359-0528
dcartelli@bownehouse.org
$10 ($5 students & seniors)
CITY OF GODS: Religious Pluralism in Flushing, Queens
R.Scott Hanson, author of City of Gods: Religious Freedom, Immigration and Pluralism in Flushing, Queens: New York City, 1945-2001, will discuss the history of Flushing and explore how America’s long experiment with religious pluralism continues today. Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Avenue, NYC.
November 15, 6:30PM
Reservations required
212-534-1672 x3395
www.mcny.org
$5 museum members, seniors and students
$9 for non-members.
EAT, DRINK, AND BE MERRY: Dutch Tavern
life in the 17th Century
NYC’s oldest Dutch stone farmhouse becomes the candlelit Onderdonk Tavern
for one special evening featuring art historian Stan Parchin’s presentation,
musical ensemble Courante led by recorder soloist Arthur Kirmss, refreshments, games, costumed revelers
and more.
November 17, 4 – 8PM
Vander-Ende Onderdonk House
18-20 Flushing Avenue
Ridgewood, NY 11385
Reservations required
718-456-1776
theonderdonkhouse@earthlink.net
$25 per person, $20 if in costume
A PLAY IN NIEUW AMSTERDAM
In a special event for families and children, join time traveler Harold
Kovarik to learn and experience what life was like for young people
in the early years of New York; a children’s craft and light refreshments
are included.
November 18, 12 – 4PM
Onderdonk House
18-20 Flushing Avenue
Ridgewood, NY 11385
718-456-1776
www.onderdonkhouse.org
$3 adults, children free
NOVEMBER
NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY
Presented by the Urban Park Rangers
Experience the history and survival techniques of the Matinecock, who
once inhabited present-day Queens.
Friday, November 23, 1PM
Meet at Forest Park Visitor Center
Woodhaven Boulevard and Forest Park Drive
718-456-1776
www.nyc.gov/parks/rangers
THE ROOTS OF OUR RIGHTS -- TOUR OF QUEENS
Presented by the Urban Park Rangers
Explore historic Flushing in honor of the 350th Anniversary of the Flushing
Remonstrance, the bedrock of the religious freedom Americans enjoy today.
The Urban Park Rangers will lead you on a walk through the neighborhood,
with stops at the Quaker Meeting House, Lewis H. Latimer House, Flushing
Town Hall, Bowne House, Kingsland Homestead, and more. A must for historians,
Flushing enthusiasts, and the curious…
Saturday, November 24, 10AM
Daniel Carter Beard Square
Meet at Main Street and Northern Boulevard
718-456-1776
www.nyc.gov/parks/rangers
HISTORY: There’s a Lot in Fort Totten
Presented by the Urban Park Rangers
Journey back to the final years of the nineteenth century, as we tour
the historic water battery of Fort Totten, built during the Civil War
to protect New York’s harbor.
Saturday, November 24, 2PM
Meet at Meet at Fort Totten Ranger Station
Entrance north of intersection of 212 Street and Cross Island Parkway
718-456-1776
www.nyc.gov/parks/rangers
THE MAN OF THE MANOR
Presented by the Urban Park Rangers
Tour the home of Rufus King, member of the Continental Congress, framer
of the Constitution, one of the first senators from New York State, and
ambassador to Great Britain under four presidents. Entrance fee waived!
Sunday, November 25, 1PM
King Manor Museum
Meet at museum entrance 150 Street and Jamaica Avenue
718-456-1776
www.nyc.gov/parks/rangers
HISTORY: There’s a Lot in Fort Totten
Presented by the Urban Park Rangers
Journey back to the final years of the nineteenth century, as we tour
the historic water battery of Fort Totten, built during the Civil War
to protect New York’s harbor.
Sunday, November 25, 1PM
Meet at Meet at Fort Totten Ranger Station
Entrance north of intersection of 212 Street and Cross Island Parkway
718-456-1776
www.nyc.gov/parks/rangers
DECEMBER
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN FLUSHING TOUR
December 2, 1-3:30 PM
Free tour sponsored by the Flushing BID, Flushing Town Hall and Jack Eichenbaum tour guide. In 1657, residents of Flushing petitioned the Dutch colonial government to uphold freedom of conscience and permit religious pluralism. Today’s Flushing is a remarkable outcome of this policy. Every major religion in the world has a substantial church, mosque or temple in the vicinity. We will tour the diversity by trolley and make several interior visits.
December 2, 1-3:30 PM
Meet at the Quaker Meeting House
137-16 Northern Blvd.
Flushing, NY 11354
Reservations necessary
718-888-1805
info@flushingbid.com
Bowne House Historical Society hosts talk on the 1657 Flushing Remonstrance and its significance in establishing Religious Freedom in the New World
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7th at 3pm.
PLACE: QUAKER MEETING HOUSE,
137-16 Northern Boulevardm Flushing NY
(7 TRAIN to Main Street, Flushing)
CONTACT: Bowne House Trustee, Susan Kathryn Hefti
212.969.8138 or skathrynhefti@excite.com
HISTORIC HOLIDAY HOUSE TOUR
Learn about Flushing’s rich history by exploring the historic sites and taking a ride on the Flushing Trolley. Flushing Town Hall, Friends Meeting House, Kingsland Homestead, the Lewis Latimer House, the Voelker Orth Museum and the Bowne House yard.
December 9th, 1 – 5PM
Reservations via the Queens Historical Society
718-939-0647 x 17
$10 adults, $5 for children under 10 years of age
COMMEMORATIVE STAMP AND POSTCARD FESTIVITIES
Commemorative postcards with the original 3 cent stamp from 1957 celebrating
the Flushing Remonstrance will be distributed to the first 250 visitors.
Flushing Post Office will be on hand to affix a special 350th anniversary
cancellation.
December 10, 11AM
Queens Library at Flushing
41-17 Main Street, Flushing
718-661-1200
THE LEGACY OF THE FLUSHING REMONSTRANCE:
Religious Liberty Today
December 11 at 7PM
Queens Federation of Churches
Rev. N. J. L’Heureux, Jr.
718-847-6764
www.QueensChurches.org
FLUSHING REMONSTRANCE ON DISPLAY
December 5 – January 7, 2008
Queens Library at Flushing during library hours
41-17 Main Street,
Flushing
718-661-1200
www.queenslibrary.org
IT HAPPENED IN QUEENS: The Flushing Remonstrance
Storyteller Rivka Widerman will bring to life the signers of the Flushing Remonstrance through stories, maps and pictures. For ages 9 -13.
December 27 at 2PM
Queens Library at Flushing
41-17 Main Street, Flushing
718-661-1200
Free but space is limited.
IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE FLUSHING REMONSTRANCE: –
A CANDLELIGHT WALK
Sponsored by Soka Gakkai International-USA. A candlelight walk past historic Flushing sites including the Bowne House with stops at the Flushing Town Hall and the Quaker Meeting House among others.
December 27, 2007, 7PM
Starting Point at Flushing High School
35-01 Union Street, Flushing, NY 11354.
Ellane Kolens: 516-375-9731
ekolens@optonline.net
MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE
Places of worship and the general public, make a joyful noise in recognition
of the Flushing Remonstrance.
December 27, 7PM
2008
January 2008
FLUSHING REMONSTRANCE TRAVELING EXHIBIT
Queensborough Community College Holocaust Center.
The exhibition features 18 two-color, foam board panels with photos and narrative. A two-color 20-page booklet will accompany the exhibit, which packs, neatly into its own traveling trunk.
Dr. Arthur Flug,
aflug@qcc.cuny.edu
The Flushing Remonstrance —
as it was in
1657
The Flushing Remonstrance
The recorded copy of the Flushing Remonstrance has long been recognized as the earliest political assertion of freedom of conscience and religion in New York.
For further information contact: |
The “Flushing Remonstrance” was a petition of inhabitants of Flushing, Long Island, to Pieter Stuyvesant, Director General of New Netherland, dated December 27, 1657. The remonstrance objected to Stuyvesant’s order barring Quakers from the town, and asserted that the order was contrary to “liberty of conscience” under the customs of Holland and the Dutch patent or charter to the town of Flushing [1645]. The text and signatures on the original document were evidently copied and incorporated into the minutes of the Council and were maintained in the secretary’s office. What happened to the original petition is unknown, but it may have been returned to the individual who presented it to Stuyvesant. The signatures on the copy of the remonstrance in the minutes appear to be in the same handwriting, a clear indication that the document is a contemporary copy, not the original. The Dutch colonial council minutes and other records of the government of New Netherland were transferred to the new British government in 1664. The records were maintained by the secretary of the province of New York until 1783, when they were transferred to the custody of the Secretary of State of New York. The Secretary of State transferred the Dutch records, including the copy of the Flushing Remonstrance, to the New York State Library in 1881. The Dutch records were transferred from the Library to the newly-established New York State Archives in 1978. Thus the Dutch records have been in the continuous custody of the government of New York since 1664. The Flushing Remonstrance is an iconic record of early Dutch colonial government that proclaimed the necessity of religious freedom of conscience and toleration. In Biblical language, the document cited divine authority as superseding human authority. The recorded copy of the Flushing Remonstrance has long been recognized as the earliest political assertion of freedom of conscience and religion in New York. The document has been exhibited publicly twelve times since 1945 (six times since 1986). Locations of exhibits have included Manhattan, Flushing, and Albany. The document was also part of the New York Freedom Train exhibit of historic documents, which toured the state in 1949-50. |
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 The Flushing Remonstrance, written in 1657, will be on display in Queens this year. CLICK IMAGE for larger view  Governor Peter Stuyvesant who fined and imprisoned those who would entertain Quakers in their home.  The original Quaker Meeting House  Quaker Meeting House as it is today on Northern Blvd.
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Research: Since the Remonstrance had such an impact on the United States it has become the subject of many reesearch papers. Following are a few of those papers that you may download. Please note: you may have to SAVE these documents onto your own computer in order to read them.
- The Melting Pot on a High Boil in Flushing
The New York Times, May 2, 2008
(Open New Window)
- A Colony With a Conscience, By Kenneth T. Jackson
Op-Ed, The New York Times, December 27, 2007
(Open New Window)
- Flushing
Remonstrance Returns to Queens, The New York Times
(open new window)
- Garman
(Format: Adobe PDF)
- Roots of a Westchester Wedding
(Format: Adobe PDF)
- The 1657 Flushing Remonstrance in Historical Perspective, by David William Voorhees
(Format: Microsoft Windows Rich Text Format)
- Event list still in formation. Check back often!
- All events are free except where noted.
- Some have limited seating or require reservations.
We also wish to thank our sponsors for their support in commemorating this historic event.
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| The Queens Borough President's Office, Helen M. Marshall |
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