Description
Beaver Street
Beaver Street used to be called Bever Straet by the Dutch colonists since beaver fur was one of the most important reasons for the Dutch West India Company to go to North America and start a colony there. The colonists bought and exported skins of beavers and other furs such as mink and muskrat. These animals were trapped by the Indians and the skins were prepared by their wives. They were paid with ‘sewant’ or ‘wampum’, small polished white or black shell beads strung in various lengths which were originally used for their ceremonies. They also traded the fur for goods such as iron pots, European textiles, sweet bread, or – strictly prohibited – alcohol and weapons.The colonists shipped the skins to Europe where they were used for fur hats or clothing. For the first few years this was a very lucrative business for the colony until the beavers were nearly wiped out.As you have already noticed, the beaver can still be found on the seal of New York City. Except for the sewant or wampum already mentioned, the colonists also used beaver skins as a legal means of payment.Continue on Beaver Street and turn left on William Street.
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