Flushing Remonstrance on display at library

The Flushing Remonstrance will be on display at the Flushing Library as part of the 350th anniversary borough-wide celebration of the document. The exhibit will run from December 5 through January 7.
The Flushing Remonstrance is often referred to as the precursor to the freedom of religion provision in the First Amendment of the Constitution. The document, written on December 27, 1657, called for religious tolerance in the Dutch Colony of Vlissingen, modern day Flushing, in the colony of New Netherland. The document was written by English Settlers angered by Governor Peter Stuyvesant’s banning the practice of any religion other than that of the Dutch Reform Church.
The document, which is on loan from the New York State Archives, will be exhibited alongside photography of places of worship in Queens.
Events celebrating this anniversary will be taking place all over Queens, with a few taking place right at the library. On December 19, at 11 a.m., Borough President Helen Marshall will open the Commemorative Stamp and Postcard Festivities. The event will feature children wearing traditional ethnic garb representing their heritage. The first 250 people to attend will receive postcards celebrating the Remonstrance complete with the original three-cent stamp.
On December 27, at 2 p.m., storyteller Rivka Wilderman will use pictures, stories and maps to explain the Remonstrance to children aged 9 to 13.
The Queens Library at Flushing is located at 41-17 Main Street. The events are free and open to the public. To learn more about Remonstrance celebrations you can visit www.flushingremonstrance.info.