An archivist’s “find” in the New York State Library inspired this landmark tale about the Dutch people’s crucial role in making America what it is today. Published [...]]]> The Historical Society of the Town of Greenwich will present the William C. Crooks Distinguished Lecture on Tuesday, November 17, 2009, featuring Russell Shorto, author of The Island at the Center of the World.

An archivist’s “find” in the New York State Library inspired this landmark tale about the Dutch people’s crucial role in making America what it is today. Published in 2004, The Island at the Center of the World combines meticulous scholarship and magnificent storytelling and brings to life a little known society predating what we know as Manhattan today. Russell Shorto is a contributing writer at The New York Times Magazine and the director of the John Adams Institute in Amsterdam. His lecture is the second in a series presented by The Historical Society devoted to understanding the Dutch impact on American culture, past and present. It is being held in conjunction with NY400, the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s 1609 voyage up the Hudson River, which led to the establishment of New Amsterdam and the New Netherland colony as well as Greenwich, Connecticut.

Mr. Shorto’s lecture is co-sponsored by the Greenwich Library and will take place from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Greenwich Library’s Cole Auditorium. Doors will open at 7 p.m. Admission is free but reservations are requested. Please call 203-869-6899, Ext. 18.