The Sugar Connection: Holland, Barbados, Shelter Island

This two-hour film was produced by the Suffolk County Archaeological Association and directed by Dr. Gaynell Stone in 2010. It rewrites Long Island history, showing for the first time the germinal role of the Dutch in world history and Long Island’s participation in 17th century global trade by the Sylvesters of Shelter Island.   Eight years of high tech archaeology at Sylvester Manor revealed the provisioning of their sugar plantations on Barbados, international sugar production, and the role of slavery.  Dozens of scholar interviews indicate how American culture has been shaped by Dutch and Quaker concepts of toleration, freedom of conscience, inventions, and customs.