Horinezen bij feestje in Lewes, USA

Het plaatsje Lewes in de Amerikaanse staat Delaware viert zijn 375-ste verjaardag, zoals Hoorngids eerder berichtte. En in Lewes staat een museumgebouw dat gebaseerd is op het oude stadhuis van Hoorn, dat vroeger op de Rode Steen stond. The Cape Gazette in Lewes berichtte over de feestelijkheden waarbij Godelieve Groen-v.d.Berg uit Hoorn ook aanwezig was.

Lees hier het bericht:

Lewes honors 375 years of history

By Henry J. Evans Jr.
Cape Gazette staff

Lewes has only 25 years to prepare for its 400th anniversary celebration and the town might want to start planning now if it hopes to outdo its 375th birthday, observed last week.

With conservative pomp fitting the occasion, Saint Peter’s Church was an international scene Friday morning, April 21.

More than 200 Lewes and area residents, city and state elected officials, and residents of The Netherlands and Lewes, England, packed the pews of the small church.

The occasion marked the first time the Delaware General Assembly had met in Lewes since 1781.

Lt. Gov. John Carney tapped his gavel as he announced the entrance of dignitaries, officials and members of the 143rd General Assembly, presided over by Senate President Pro Tempore Thurman Adams Jr.

Lewes, England Mayor Jim Daly and Mayoress Julia Daily, visiting Delaware for the first time, each wore regalia bearing the crest of their city.
The mayor’s neckpiece, referred to as the chain, is gold and weighs seven pounds.

“I’m delighted that you’ve all taken the time to join us for this historic occasion as we celebrate the 375th

anniversary of the first European settlement here in Delaware,” Carney said.

The first Dutch settlers arrived in Lewes in 1631. But by 1632 the colony had been wiped out.

Nanticoke Chief J.T. Norwood represented Native Americans, the first non-Europeans in what is now Delaware.

Guusje Korthals Altes, counselor of the Netherlands Embassy in Washington, D.C., represented the country’s government.

Altes read a message from Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.

“The people of the Netherlands wish you, the citizens of Delaware, the warmest celebrations throughout the year, and may the future of Delaware be as illustrious as your past,” the message said in part.

Attendees gave Altes, who is expecting baby in June, a lengthy round of applause and a standing ovation.

After receiving gifts including flags of Lewes, the State of Delaware and the Netherlands, Altes and other dignitaries were escorted from the church.
As the church emptied, Irene Robb of Lewes awaited her turn to leave.
“It was inspiring to think of what it was like 375 years ago – 375 years ago, they wouldn’t have had a pregnant woman up there among the officials,”

she said. Robb is the immediate past president of the Lewes Historical Society.

Robb said she was impressed with the number of state and local officials who participated in the event.

“It’s a very important thing. How many times do people celebrate 375 years here? In Europe it’s a different story,” Robb said.

Outside, Dutch and Delaware citizens mingled, and as the church emptied, the first portion of the celebration was already history.

Godelieve Groen-v.d.Berg of Hoorn, the Netherlands, was among those who helped organize the event on the European side.

“I liked the ceremony. It’s very special for us to be here and to hear everything that was said about the history and celebration. It was a pleasure to be here,” she said.

State Rep. Joe Booth of Georgetown, said the last time the legislature met in Lewes they, too, had important business.

“The pressing issue at that time was taking care of the horses and how much they were paying for that. That’s what their discussion amounted to,” Booth said.

Booth thanked Lewes and Delaware 375th Anniversary Commission volunteers who helped organize the event.

“The commission has touched all bases and it’s greatly appreciated. This was a good kickoff for what promises to be a great event for Lewes.”

Booth said the anniversary celebration would be a year-long history lesson.

“It allows everybody to participate,” Booth said.
DeVries Monument rededication

In the afternoon, cool windy conditions greeted celebrants gathered at the DeVries Monument on Pilottown Road.

The monument site is thought to be the original location of the 1631 Dutch Settlement.

Russ McCabe, state archivist and vice chairman of the anniversary commission, introduced a host of dignitaries, among them Nanticoke Chief J.T. Norwood.

McCabe said the best way to describe what happened between Native Americans and the Dutch in 1631 was “a misunderstanding between two radically different cultures.”

Norwood said the concept of land ownership was not part of the American Indian culture and as time progressed Indians were driven from the places they had called home.

In the largest active group participation event of the day, seven Nanticoke Indians, joined by a couple dozen Dutch and Lewes citizens, performed the circular Welcome-Friendship dance.

Following the dance, gifts of traditional pine needle baskets were given to the Mayor of Lewes, England and a carved stone turtle was given to Jim Ford, Mayor of Lewes Delaware. The turtle Ford received will be donated for display in the Zwaanendael Museum.

Ford said Lewes recognizes the importance of history as a learning tool and guide for the future.

“The evolution of the culture of Lewes is connected to earlier times,” Ford said.

Ford said Lewes has been built and influenced by many cultures including Native Americans, African Americans and European Americans.

“Our core values result in a blend and a mixing of Native, Afro and European Americans and with such comes our strength, our beauty and our charm,” Ford said.

He said the city’s people are the true core of what makes the city unique.

“We can be one if we are many. We can be superior if we are equal. We are Lewes. We are Delaware. We are America,” Ford said.

As Ford spoke, the sailing ship Kalmar Nyckel slipped silently into the Lewes-Rehoboth canal. Moments later the vessel turned around and fired several thunderous cannon volleys toward shore signaling the end of the day’s events.

At 9 a.m. on Friday, May 5, the entire celebration can be viewed on the internet at Delaware.gov.

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Horinezen bij feestje in Lewes, USA

ingevoerd op 26-4-2006

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