The legacy of the Dutch settlers of Wiltwyck lives on at the Matthewis Persen House. The house sits on Kingston’s historic “four corners” and was originally owned by Gysbert Van Imbroch. An inventory listing Gysbert’s possessions at the time of his death in 1665 is brought to life through illustrations of clothing, kitchen items, and other articles used in 17th century daily life. The inventory also depicts items Gysbert used in his profession as a barber-surgeon as well as his book collection, one of the largest book collections in the New World. We hope you enjoy this small sampling of the full exhibit and that it inspires you to visit us and step back in time with Gysbert’s Inventory.
This exhibit was made possible through a grant from the New York State Archives Records Management Improvement Fund in the 2015-2016 grant cycle. Learn about the importance of protecting our documented history and how the Ulster County Clerk’s Office safeguards the records by viewing the short film associated with the exhibit titled The Ulster County Clerk’s Office: Keeper of the Records.
Companion resources for this exhibit include:
- Wiltwyck: A Look at Life in a Dutch 17th Century Ulster County Town Curriculum Guide
- Gysbert's Inventory Scavenger Hunt Activity
- Persen House for Kids Activity Booklet
- Keeper of the Records Video
