Holland Society Headquarters and Library Move complete

After years of planning, the headquarters of the Holland Society of New York moved to 20 W. 44th, the Mechanics and Tradesman's building, during January of 2008. The final tenant improvements on the Fifth Floor are being completed and the new library and office spaces are being readied. The New Amsterdam and Old Bergen County Branches of the Holland Society of New York will host their annual "Tulip Night" on April 2, 2008 during which time the new headquarters and library will be officially dedicated.

Holland Society member Kenneth Hewes Barricklo has donated hundreds of hours of professional architectural services to design the new space and work with the contractor. Trustee Emeritus John O. Delamater has donated hundreds of hours of legal services in negotiating the lease and working with the landlord and the other historical societies who will make the building their new home. New England Branch President and Trustee Charles Zabriskie, Jr. worked tirelessly as the leader of the Henry Hudson Capital Campaign to raise funds for the move and received generous donations to offset the substantial cost of the beautiful tenant improvements especially the columns and woodwork in the library and office which have created a most welcoming environment.

Executive Secretary Hanny Veenendaal has assisted with multiple details in anticipation of the move, and HSNY member David Nostrand used his years of experience in building improvements to assist in any way possible to make sure that the complicated move process was completed smoothly. The historic documents in the library including over 3,500 volumes of historical books containing the history of New Netherlands and the Dutch experience in America were moved by a professional library moving service. A large group of volunteers including Holland Society Friends Muffy VanDerbeek Unger and Diane VanDerbeek, Charles Wendell, Chair of the Library Committee, and John B. VanDerbeek IV President, and Trustee David Nostrand as well as librarian Rob Bruno were on hand to volunteer for several days during the physical move. New York interior decorator Oona Sperr who has a special interest in Dutch history volunteered to assist on moving day and directed where some of the Holland Society art collection should be hung. She has also generously donated volunteer time in assisting with the selection of furniture and lighting and accessories for the new headquarters and library.

Photos of some of the beautiful architectural details of the historical building that houses the new headquarters are posted with this article.

Any questions about the move can be directed to John B. VanDerbeek IV, President, at: dlvjbv@msn.com; 206.919.6313.