April 11, 2026 – 140th Annual Meeting and Spring Reception

April 11, 2026

 

Spring arrived in New York with the Holland Society of New York’s 140th Annual Meeting and Spring Reception, held on Saturday, April 11th at The Lotos Club. Members gathered first for the Society’s Annual Meeting, followed by a festive reception, one of the Society’s most anticipated gatherings of the year, welcoming Members, Friends, and guests for an evening celebrating shared history and the Society’s future.

Founded in 1885, the Holland Society of New York honors and preserves the history of New Netherland, the Dutch settlement that became New York. In continuing this stewardship, the Annual Meeting brought members together for a meaningful leadership transition. Executive Director Sarah Bogart Cooney offered warm thanks to outgoing President Sally Quackenbush for her thoughtful vision and commitment to the organization. She then welcomed Ethan Van Ness as incoming president, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the Society.

Following the meeting, members and guests gathered for the Spring Reception. In his first remarks as president, Van Ness expressed gratitude for the confidence placed in him and reflected on the Society’s growing momentum. He spoke about the increasing engagement of younger generations and a renewed interest in the history of New Netherland, noting that a deeper understanding of the city’s Dutch origins continues to inform the present. Looking ahead, he pointed to the approaching 250th anniversary of the United States and the 400th anniversary of the founding of New Amsterdam, emphasizing the opportunity to more fully recognize and celebrate the Dutch founding of New Netherlands as an essential part of the nation’s story.

Guests spent the remainder of the evening reconnecting with longtime members, welcoming new faces, and marking the transition in leadership. The 140th Annual Meeting and Spring Reception reflected both continuity and forward movement, as the Holland Society looks ahead while remaining rooted in the history that defines its purpose.