The Board of Directors of the New Netherland Museum announced announce that the Half Moon will be going to a new home port in the City of Hoorn, Netherlands in 2015.  In a vote just taken by the City Council , the City of Hoorn has voted in favor of the adoption of the Half Moon.

This what Dr. Andrew A. Hendricks, founder and chairman of the New Netherland Museum/Half Moon Replica announced:

The Half Moon will be part of a 17th century historic site managed by the award-winning Westfries Museum.  The New Netherland Museum will retain ownership of the Half Moon.

Like the original Half Moon, our replica has had many captains over the years.  We would particularly like to thank William T. (Chip) Reynolds for his leadership role with the Half Moon.  Chip developed many innovative educational programs during his tenure with ship.  We wish Chip well with his future endeavors.

From the moment the keel of the Half Moon was laid, it has been my ambition to see the Half Moon sail in Dutch waters.  After 25 years of service as the unofficial flagship of the State of New York, the Half Moon will have the opportunity to sail in the Netherlands.   A new world-wide public will have the chance to appreciate the ship, which will be the only operating 17th century Dutch ship in the Netherlands. The Half Moon will highlight the Dutch Golden Age and its accomplishments.

Newly discovered historic information on the ship reveals that the Half Moon was very active before Henry Hudson’s voyage in the European commodity trade.  After her historic 1609 Hudson voyage, the Half Moon ventured to the warm waters of the Spice Islands of the Indian Ocean as a true Dutch East Indies ship.  As such, the Half Moon represents the full scale of Dutch maritime history in the beginning of the 17th century.  Moreover, strong historic ties to Hoorn, not in the least because  the last skipper before Hudson hailed from that area, suggest that the Half Moon  is not just going to Hoorn, but returning to Hoorn!

The Westfries Museum has great plans to share the ship as a living history center and to develop the Spirit of the Half Moon™.  We have no doubt that our ship will fare well in Hoorn and look forward to the exchange of ideas.  Meanwhile the activities of the New Netherland Museum will continue and we look forward to announcing exciting new programs in the future.  We look forward to a bright future and hope to count on your continued support to the New Netherland Museum and the Half Moon.