Haarlem will be the first of our day trips on the tour. We have all heard the fairy tale about Hans Brinker, the boy who saved Holland by putting his finger in a leak in the dyke, effectively holding back the North Sea from destroying a large part of the region from flooding. Yes, you guessed it. He came from Haarlem.
Harlem in New York was built by the first Dutch settlers who also built New Amsterdam. Present day Wall Street was once the protective wall of the settlement of New Amsterdam. Harlem New York was also built as a fort back in the 1600’s at about 125th Street and Lenox Avenue. They are same distance from each other in New York and in Holland.
Adrian Landmark Windmill A windmill that dates back to the 1600’s and still works, although no longer in use as a grain grinder or other products. Frans Hals Museum of Art. Frans Hals is considered one of the great Dutch Masters of art, along with Rembrandt van Rijn and others.
The Teylers Museum of natural history and science, was founded in 1778. Haarlem’s de Gouden Straatjes (The Golden Streets) are in the same class as Amsterdam’s world leading retail districts and has been voted the best place to shop in the Netherlands several times over the years.
Irish Verwey, university professor, social activist, program director and an old friend, will be available on this trip to add a more personal touch, and spice up our visit with information and landmarks that reveal Haarlem’s past, its connection to slavery and some of its Black inhabitants. She can also help with shopping tips and restaurants in Haarlem and Amsterdam!