The Holland Society of New York
The Holland Society of New York was founded in New York City in 1885 to collect information on the settlement and history of New Netherland. Its main objective was to find and preserve documentation about the inhabitants' lives as well as the political, social, and religious patterns in the Dutch colony. Historical publications were sponsored, along with encouragement for family studies and genealogy. Many Society members have been especially active in genealogical research and publication.
The Holland Society originated The New Netherland Project which is translating and publishing the 17th Century records held by the New York State Archives.
Membership in the Holland Society is open to descendants in the direct male line of an ancestor who lived in New Netherland before or during 1675.
During parts of the early 20th century, the Holland Society issued annual member medals. Please click on the Medals tab to see the ones I have managed to locate.
Click or tap the medals to see their reverse sides.
This medal's obverse bears North American native with shield at left holding shield labeled with DE / VER/EENIG/DE STAATEN / VAN / NOORD / AMERI/CA in one hand while shaking hand of Dutch citizen in the middle; Britannia holding an olive branch in on and shield labeled with GROOT / BRIT/ANIEN in the other to right. Angel holding Dutchman's hat above. Around, PRESENTED BY THE HOLLAND SOCIETY OF NEW YORK JANUARY 18TH 1906; signed B.B.&B.CO. PHILADELPHIA
The reverse bears seal of Friesland held in arm extending from cloud. Around, MEDAL STRUCK TO COMMEMORATE THE RECOGNITION OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE BY THE PROVINCE OF FRIESLAND 1782; in center, AAN DE STAATEN VAN FRIESLAND / TER DANKBAARENAGEDACHTENISSE / VAN DE LANDSDAGEN IN FEBR. EN APR. / MDCCLXXXII / TOEGEWYD / DOOR DE BURGER SOCIETEIT / DOOR VRYHEID EN YVER / TE LEEUWARDEN. VESTIGING OF MANHATTAS 1613
The obverse is a reproduction of a medal issued in Friesland in 1782 to commemorate the support of the Dutch province to American independence from Great Britain.
This circular medal measures 45mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Bailey, Banks & Biddle Company of Philadelphia. No mintage is reported.
This uniface plaquette bears a montage of Dutch medals superimposed on semicircular floral cartouche. At bottom, JANUARY - MCMXI / HOLLAND SOCIETY
The edge is marked WHITEHEAD-HOAG
This rounded rectangular plaquette measures 102mm x 64mm and was struck in bronze by the Whitehead & Hoag Company of Newark, New Jersey. No mintage is reported.
This uniface plaquette bears the seal of Peter Stuyvesant superimposed over Dutch harbor scene, framed by tulips. Below seal, SEAL OF PETER STUYVESANT; at bottom, JANUARY MCMXII / HOLLAND SOCIETY
The edge is marked WHITEHEAD-HOAG
This rounded rectangular plaquette measures 82.8mm x 50.9mm and was struck in bronze by the Whitehead & Hoag Company of Newark, New Jersey. No mintage is reported.
This medal's obverse bears an early version of the seal of New York. Around, COMMEMORATING THE 250 ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN 1935; signed under feet of settler in seal, J.F. NEWMAN N.Y.
The reverse bears seal of Amsterdam. Around, ISSUED BY THE HOLLAND SOCIETY OF NEW YORK 1915 / TER HERINNERING AAN DEN 300 JAARDAG DER NEDERLANDSCHE VESTIGING OF MANHATTAS 1613
The Dutch inscription on the reverse roughly translates to:
In rememberance of the 300th anniversary of the settlement of Manhattan 1613
This circular medal measures 76mm in diameter and was struck in bronze. No mintage is reported.
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