A Special Place?

The culture created in the Hudson River Valley as a result of the development of the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam during the 17th century was, as we read in Shorto's "The Island at the Center of the World", extremely unique and remarkably diverse. From hookers to reverends to farmers, those who were among the first to call Manhattan home brought with them a variety of skills and ideas that would eventually shape the "attitude" of the region. Over the last few weeks we've discussed the idea of "sense of place", and in reading this particular history of the beginnings of this particular Dutch settlement one tends to recognize a distinct character concerning the region surrounding what would one day become New York City. It was so strong that it completely changed learned, refined gentlemen who made the treacherous voyage across the Atlantic. Gentlemen like Peter Minuit, former director of New Amsterdam, who's obsession with the region led him to form his own colony under a foreign banner (Sweden) years after being removed of his duty under the Dutch flag. Perhaps no one embodies the spirit of the region quite like Adriaen Van der Donck, one of history's forgotten heroes (according to Shorto). Van der Donck's story, though little known, played an important role in the development of New Amsterdam, from his initial arrival as the "law man" of the Rensselaerwyck colony to his later contributions as a member of the Board in New Amsterdam. Van der Donck was awe struck by the Hudson Valley and the surrounding territories, venturing into the woods on numerous occasions to study Indian culture, observe the scenery, and ponder political and philosophical questions of the day. My point in this particular post is to raise a question: Was there something unique about the culture of New Amsterdam and the surrounding Dutch settlements different from other colonies of the time that was strong enough to take these men, so refined, dignified and academic, and turn them into mountain men with an eye for change? What was it specifically about this settlement that inspired them, that drove them to care so deeply about a region that they had inhabited for such a short time?