A Floating Museum

Construction is underway to create a replica of the Onrust, a Dutch ship that patrolled the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers in the 17th century according to a February 20 article in the Times Union (Albany). To make the Onrust authentic, Albany-area artisans are handcrafting each of the components, including the wooden planks, rope, and nails. Most of the work on the ship is taking place at the Mabee Farm in Rotterdam Junction (outside of Schenectady) along the Mohawk River. The Mabee Farm is a former fur trading post and now serves as a museum and education center.

Once the project is complete, the Onrust will act as a "floating museum" to educate Hudson and Mohawk Valley residents about the history of these rivers. The ship is slated for completion in 2009, which by no coincidence is the 400 year anniversary of Henry Hudson's Hudson River exploration voyage.

To read more about the Onrust, go to http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=564763

To read more about the Mabee farm, go to http://www.mabeefarm.org/