NYPL's Public Domain Archive. Not developed or endorsed by NYPL. Part of the World's largest public domain source PICRYL.com.

New Amsterdam

New Amsterdam. New York City. New Orange.Created by: NYPL's Public Domain ArchiveDated: 1650
Picryl description: Public domain image of a ship hull, port, harbor, water way, maritime architecture, free to use, no copyright restrictions.
In May 1624, the first settlers in New Netherland arrived on Noten Eylandt (Nut or Nutten Island, now Governors Island) aboard the ship New Netherland. Dutch West India Company wanted to protect the entrance to the Hudson River and sponsored 30 families to move from Nut Island to Manhattan Island, where a citadel to contain Fort Amsterdam was being laid out. By the end of 1625, the site had been staked out and by 1628, a small fort was built with walls containing a mixture of clay and sand. The fort also served as the center of trading activity.

In the 1630s and 1640s, New Amsterdam had a population of about 270 people. Settlers built mills and in 1642 a stone church was built within the fort. New Amsterdam received municipal rights on February 2, 1653.

On August 27, 1664, while England and the Dutch Republic were at peace, four English frigates sailed into New Amsterdam's harbor and demanded New Netherland's surrender. This was swiftly followed by the Second Anglo-Dutch War and in 1665, New Amsterdam was reincorporated under English law as New York City, named after the Duke of York (later King James II). He was the brother of the English King Charles II, who had been granted the lands.

In July 1673, during the Third Anglo-Dutch War, the Dutch briefly and quickly occupied New York City and renamed it New Orange. In 1674, the city was relinquished to the English and the name reverted to "New York".
78 Media in collectionpage 1 of 1
Map of the original grants of village lots from the Dutch West India Company to the inhabitants of New-Amsterdam (now New-York) lying below the present line of Wall Street : Grants commencing A.D. 1642

Map of the original grants of village lots from the Dutch West India C...

Public domain scan of a vintage map, plan, atlas, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description.

Picryl description: Public domain image of a ship hull, port, harbor, water way, maritime architecture, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Picryl description: Public domain image of a ship hull, port, harbor, ...

Picryl description: Public domain image of a historic building in New York City, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Old Dutch house, Kips Bay, New-York.

Old Dutch house, Kips Bay, New-York.

Public domain image of a historic building, 16th, 17th, 18th century architecture, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description.

Gov. Stuyvesant's house, erected 1658, afterwards called The Whitehall

Gov. Stuyvesant's house, erected 1658, afterwards called The Whitehall

Public domain illustrated book page scan, American, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

A description of the towne of Mannados: or New Amsterdam, as it was in September 1661 . . .1664. Lith. for D. T. Valentine's manual for 1859, by George Hayward. ; entered. . .1859, by George Hayward

A description of the towne of Mannados: or New Amsterdam, as it was in...

Picryl description: Public domain image of a historic building in New York City, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

T'Fort Nieuw Amsterdam op de Manhatans.

T'Fort Nieuw Amsterdam op de Manhatans.

Public domain image of a sailing ship, caravel, harbor, sea, naval battle, 16th-17th century maritime architecture, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

Een Virginiaen na hun manier gekleedt.

Een Virginiaen na hun manier gekleedt.

Public domain scan - 17th-century print, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

New York. A. The fort. B. The chappel.

New York. A. The fort. B. The chappel.

Picryl description: Public domain image of a ship in New York harbor, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

The islands of the East Indies with the channels between India, China & New Holland.

The islands of the East Indies with the channels between India, China ...

Public domain image of the vintage map from NYPL Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division, free to use, no copyright restrictions image. The Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division is one of the wo... More

P. Stuyvesant Art print related to American Revolution

P. Stuyvesant Art print related to American Revolution

Public domain illustrated book page scan, American, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Map of New Netherland with a view of New Amsterdam (now New York), A.D. 1656

Map of New Netherland with a view of New Amsterdam (now New York), A.D...

Public domain image of the vintage map from NYPL Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division, free to use, no copyright restrictions image. The Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division is one of the wo... More

South West view of Fort George with the city of New York

South West view of Fort George with the city of New York

Public domain scan of a print with maritime landscape, ship in the harbor, sea, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Een Mahakuase Indiaen, met hun Steden en woningen.

Een Mahakuase Indiaen, met hun Steden en woningen.

Public domain photograph of 17th century Dutch drawing, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Nieu Amsterdam, een stedeken in Noord Amerikaes, Nieu Hollant, op het eilant Mankattan: namaels Nieu jork genaemt, toen het geraekte in 't gebiet der Engelschen.

Nieu Amsterdam, een stedeken in Noord Amerikaes, Nieu Hollant, op het ...

Public domain image of Netherlands landscape, 17th-18th century cityscape, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description.

De Koning Pouhatan in Syn hoogste Staet

De Koning Pouhatan in Syn hoogste Staet

Public domain scan - 17th-century print, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Middle Dutch Church, Nassau Street.

Middle Dutch Church, Nassau Street.

Public domain image of a historic building, 16th, 17th, 18th century architecture, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description.

A description of the towne of Mannados: or New Amsterdam, as it was in September 1661 . . .1664

A description of the towne of Mannados: or New Amsterdam, as it was in...

Public domain illustrated book page scan, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Peter Stuyvesant. Art print related to American Revolution

Peter Stuyvesant. Art print related to American Revolution

Public domain illustrated book page scan, American, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Titlepage. - Public domain print

Titlepage. - Public domain print

Public domain photograph of 17th century Dutch drawing, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

New York. References . . . New York is situated . . . masts, etc.

New York. References . . . New York is situated . . . masts, etc.

Public domain scan of a print with maritime landscape, ship in the harbor, sea, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Nieu Amsterdam at. New York. - A painting of a man and a woman with a dog

Nieu Amsterdam at. New York. - A painting of a man and a woman with a ...

Public domain scan of 17th-18th century Dutch print, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Old Reformed Dutch Church 1776. Formerly standing in Fulton St. near Smith St.

Old Reformed Dutch Church 1776. Formerly standing in Fulton St. near S...

Public domain scan of 19th-19th century print, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Novum Amsterodamum. View from the south issued 1671.

Novum Amsterodamum. View from the south issued 1671.

Public domain scan of a print with maritime landscape, ship in the harbor, sea, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Van d'eylanden Bermudes, Berbados, St. Christoffel, en d'ander Caribische eylanden

Van d'eylanden Bermudes, Berbados, St. Christoffel, en d'ander Caribis...

Public domain reproduction of illuminated book page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Redraft of the Castello Plan, New Amsterdam in 1660.

Redraft of the Castello Plan, New Amsterdam in 1660.

Public domain image of an old city plan, vintage cartography, 18th-19th century map, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

New Amsterdam (now New York) as it appeared about the year 1640

New Amsterdam (now New York) as it appeared about the year 1640

Picryl description: Public domain image of a ship in New York harbor, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

A view of New Amsterdam in 1656, the church built in the fort (now the Battery) in 1642.

A view of New Amsterdam in 1656, the church built in the fort (now the...

Public domain photo of Dutch art print, 19th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

Amsterdam in New Netherland, 1653-1664

Amsterdam in New Netherland, 1653-1664

Public domain image of the vintage map from NYPL Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division, free to use, no copyright restrictions image. The Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division is one of the wo... More

New York City Hall of 250 years ago

New York City Hall of 250 years ago

Public domain photo of vintage New York postcard, 16th-17th century, 18th-19th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

Dutch cottage in Beaver Street, 1679.

Dutch cottage in Beaver Street, 1679.

Public domain image of a historic building, 16th, 17th, 18th century architecture, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description.

A south prospect of ye flourishing city of New York in the province of New York in America.

A south prospect of ye flourishing city of New York in the province of...

Public domain scan of a print with maritime landscape, ship in the harbor, sea, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

A view of New York, Governors Island, the River &c. from Long Island.

A view of New York, Governors Island, the River &c. from Long Island.

Public domain scan - 18th-century landscape print, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

New York with the entrance to the North and East River

New York with the entrance to the North and East River

Public domain illustrated book page scan, American, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Vue de Nouvelle Yorck Art print

Vue de Nouvelle Yorck Art print

Public domain illustrated book page scan, American, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

New York (A. The Fort; B. The Chappel; C. Secretary Office; D. The Great Dock; E. Part of Nutten Island; F. Part of Long Island; G. Dutch Church; H. English Church; I. The City Hall; K. The Exchange; L. French Church; M. Ship Warfes; N. The Ferry House; O. Cattle Pen)

New York (A. The Fort; B. The Chappel; C. Secretary Office; D. The Gre...

Public domain illustrated book page scan, American, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

New York a city in N. America inhabited by English and Dutch subject to the K. of England.

New York a city in N. America inhabited by English and Dutch subject t...

Picryl description: Public domain image of a ship in New York harbor, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Nieu Amsterdam, at. New Yorck. - Engraving, Public domain image

Nieu Amsterdam, at. New Yorck. - Engraving, Public domain image

Public domain image of Netherlands landscape, 17th-18th century cityscape, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description.

Map of New Netherland: according to the charters granted by the States General on the 11th October 1614 and 3rd June 1621 to illustrate Brodhead's History of the state of New York

Map of New Netherland: according to the charters granted by the States...

Public domain image of the vintage map from NYPL Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division, free to use, no copyright restrictions image. The Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division is one of the wo... More

View of Niew Amsterdam, 1659 surrounded by pictures of individual buildings, and scenes in Irving's works. Above: Knickerbocker quadrilles. Below: Respectfully dedicated to Washington Irving, Esq. by the publishers

View of Niew Amsterdam, 1659 surrounded by pictures of individual buil...

Public domain scan of American 19th-century print, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

The Old Rigging House. - A drawing of a building with a man standing in front of it

The Old Rigging House. - A drawing of a building with a man standing i...

Public domain scan of architectural print, architecture, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Peter Stuyvesant. - Public domain portrait engraving

Peter Stuyvesant. - Public domain portrait engraving

Public domain image of a male portrait, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description

Southwest view of Fort George with the City of New York.

Southwest view of Fort George with the City of New York.

Public domain scan of a print with maritime landscape, ship in the harbor, sea, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

P. Stuyvesant Art print related to American Revolution

P. Stuyvesant Art print related to American Revolution

Public domain illustrated book page scan, American, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Nieuw Amsterdam 1659 - Public domain dedication image

Nieuw Amsterdam 1659 - Public domain dedication image

Public domain scan of a print with maritime landscape, ship in the harbor, sea, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

A view of New York, Governors Island, the river &c from Long Island

A view of New York, Governors Island, the river &c from Long Island

Public domain scan - 18th-century landscape print, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Governor Stuyvesant's mansion. - Public domain dedication image

Governor Stuyvesant's mansion. - Public domain dedication image

Picryl description: Public domain image of a historic building in New York City, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Middle Dutch Church, Nassau Street.

Middle Dutch Church, Nassau Street.

Public domain image of a historic building, 16th, 17th, 18th century architecture, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description.

The flag of the Dutch West India Company

The flag of the Dutch West India Company

Public domain illustrated book page scan, American, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Govr. Stuyvesant destroying the summons to surrender N.Y.

Govr. Stuyvesant destroying the summons to surrender N.Y.

Public domain illustrated book page scan, American, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Map of the original grants of village lots from the Dutch West India Company to the inhabitants of New-Amsterdam (now New-York) lying below the present line of Wall Street : Grants commencing A.D. 1642

Map of the original grants of village lots from the Dutch West India C...

Public domain scan of a vintage map, plan, atlas, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description.

An Indian village of the Manhattans, prior to the occupation of the Dutch

An Indian village of the Manhattans, prior to the occupation of the Du...

Public domain scan of an art print, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

[Stuyvesant passing through the streets of N.Y.]

[Stuyvesant passing through the streets of N.Y.]

Public domain illustrated book page scan, American, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Map of the original grants of village lots from the Dutch West India Company to the inhabitants of New-Amsterdam (now New-York) lying below the present line of Wall Street : Grants commencing A.D. 1642

Map of the original grants of village lots from the Dutch West India C...

Public domain scan of a vintage map, plan, atlas, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description.

Partie orientale du Canada ou de la Nouvelle France : ou sont les provinces, ou pays de Sagvenay, Canada, Acadie etc., les peuples, ou nations des Etechemins, Iroquois, Attiquameches etc., auec la Nouvelle Angleterre, la Nouvelle Ecosse, la Nouvelle Yorck, et la Virginie, les isles de Terre Neuve, de Cap Breton etc., le Grand Banc etc.

Partie orientale du Canada ou de la Nouvelle France : ou sont les prov...

Public domain image of a vintage map, geography atlas, maritime navigation, age of discovery, 16th-17th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description

Old Peter Stuyvesant on the cover of the Fall style book

Old Peter Stuyvesant on the cover of the Fall style book

Public domain scan of American poster, advertisement, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

The figurative map of Adriaen Block - Public domain map
Afbeeldinge van de Stadt Amsterdam in Nieuw Neederlandt.

Afbeeldinge van de Stadt Amsterdam in Nieuw Neederlandt.

Public domain scan of a vintage map, plan, atlas, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description.

DINNER TO THE COMMANDER & OFFICERS OF ROYAL NETHERLAND'S VAN SPEYK [held by] THE HOLLAND SOCIETY OF NEW YORK [at] "FORT ORANGE CLUB, ALBANY, NY" (OTHER (CLUB);)
Man, at left. with bow and arrows seated on ground, handing beaver[?] to a woman, at right, standing. On banderole, over clouds: Nieu Amsterdam, al. New Yorck

Man, at left. with bow and arrows seated on ground, handing beaver[?] ...

Public domain reproduction of art print, 16th-17th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

Collier's Greater New York, Petrus Stuyvesant, Governor of New Amsterdam, 1647, January 25, 1902, Price Ten Cents

Collier's Greater New York, Petrus Stuyvesant, Governor of New Amsterd...

Public domain photograph of an advertising poster, advertisement, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

A draught of the coast of NEW HOLLAND and parts Adjacent

A draught of the coast of NEW HOLLAND and parts Adjacent

Public domain image of a nautical map, chart, navigation pilot guide, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

View of Harlaem from Morisania in the province of New York Septemr. 1765

View of Harlaem from Morisania in the province of New York Septemr. 17...

Public domain image of painting, 18th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description

Nieu Amsterdam, een stedeken in Noord Amerikaes Nieu Hollant, op het eilant Mankattan, namaels Nieu Jork genaemt, toen het geraekte in 't gebiet der  Engelschen = Amstelodamum recens, postea Anglis illud possidentibus dictum Eboracum novum, Hollandiae novae, id est Americae Mexicanae sive septentronalis oppidulum

Nieu Amsterdam, een stedeken in Noord Amerikaes Nieu Hollant, op het e...

Picryl description: Public domain image of Netherlands landscape, 17th-18th century cityscape, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Partie orientale du Canada ou de la Nouvelle France : ou sont les provinces, ou pays de Sagvenay, Canada, Acadie etc., les peuples, ou nations des Etechemins, Iroquois, Attiquameches etc., auec la Nouvelle Angleterre, la Nouvelle Ecosse, la Nouvelle Yorck, et la Virginie, les isles de Terre Neuve, de Cap Breton etc., le Grand Banc etc. dressee sur les memoires les plus nouveaux

Partie orientale du Canada ou de la Nouvelle France : ou sont les prov...

Public domain image of a vintage map, geography atlas, maritime navigation, age of discovery, 16th-17th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description

The Governor's House and the church in the fort under the Dutch

The Governor's House and the church in the fort under the Dutch

Picryl description: Public domain image, drawing, English, free to use, no copyright restrictions

8TH ANNUAL DINNER ON OCCASION OF THE TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-SIXTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF NEW AMSTERDAM [held by] SOCIETY OF COLONIAL WARS IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK [at] "DELMONICO'S, NEW YORK, NY" (REST;)
John Ogilby - Novum Amsterodamum., Montanus Arnoldus 1625-1683, cartographer

John Ogilby - Novum Amsterodamum., Montanus Arnoldus 1625-1683, cartog...

Public domain image of the vintage map from NYPL Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division, free to use, no copyright restrictions image. The Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division is one of the wo... More

Survey of a "Certain neck of land--lying upon the main, and adjoining upon Harlem River."

Survey of a "Certain neck of land--lying upon the main, and adjoining ...

Picryl description: Public domain image, drawing, English, free to use, no copyright restrictions

DINNER TO THE COMMANDER & OFFICERS OF ROYAL NETHERLAND'S VAN SPEYK [held by] THE HOLLAND SOCIETY OF NEW YORK [at] "FORT ORANGE CLUB, ALBANY, NY" (OTHER (CLUB);)
Novum Amsterodamum. - Public domain dedication image

Novum Amsterodamum. - Public domain dedication image

Public domain image of painting, 17th-18th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

A description of the Towne of Mannados or New Amsterdam : as it was in September 1661, lying in latitude 40 de: and 40 m:, anno Domini 1664.

A description of the Towne of Mannados or New Amsterdam : as it was in...

Public domain image of the vintage map from NYPL Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division, 16th-17th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description. The Lionel Pincus and Princ... More

The De Peyster mansion in Queen Street.

The De Peyster mansion in Queen Street.

Picryl description: Public domain image of a historic building in New York City, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

120 William Street.  The Rigging House.

120 William Street. The Rigging House.

Public domain scan of American 19th-century print, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Virginia Nieu Neder-landt.  Nieu Engelandt.
R.M.S. Nieuw Amsterdam - Restaurant menu
North view of the dock New York 1679

North view of the dock New York 1679

Picryl description: Public domain image of a historic building in New York City, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Redraft of the Castello plan. - Public domain map

Redraft of the Castello plan. - Public domain map

Public domain image of an old city plan, vintage cartography, 18th-19th century map, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

Partie orientale du Canada ou de la Nouvelle France : ou sont les  provinces, ou pays de Sagvenay, Canada, Acadie ... auec la NouvelleAngleterre, La Nouvelle Ecosse, la Nouvelle Yorck, et la Virginie ...

Partie orientale du Canada ou de la Nouvelle France : ou sont les pro...

Public domain image of a vintage map, geography atlas, maritime navigation, age of discovery, 16th-17th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description