The Netherlands-America Association
Sylvain Van Gobes
Please click this link to see a taped interview with our founder, Sylvain Van Gobes.
A Little Bit of Our History...
The Netherlands-America Association of the Delaware Valley was initially founded in 1957 by two men named Peter Gerding and Sylvain Van Gobes. Their primary purpose was assisting new immigrants from The Netherlands, Flanders and Dutch East India in finding accommodation and employment in the Philadelphia area. The club served as a crucial resource during their initial settlement phase and as these families became more established and stable, the club evolved into a vibrant hub for preserving Dutch traditions.
Fun fact: In the 1960's the NAADV would rent a KLM plane once a year so members could visit their friends and family in The Netherlands! Unfortunately, this practice had to be discontinued due to the increasing costs involved. Today, although we are no longer chartering private jets, we are still a dynamic social club consisting of new immigrants, expats, students, long term residents, and the still thriving earlier generations. Our association is a welcoming community for anyone interested in Dutch culture and traditions!
We organize a variety of cultural events throughout the year such as the King's Day celebration, our annual Rijsttafel, Sinterklaas Feest, Borrels, Voetbal get togethers, and more!
Our mission is to foster a sense of community among our members, promote Dutch culture, and strengthen the ties between The Netherlands and the Delaware Valley region.
Whether your'e a Dutch national living in the area, of Dutch origin, or simply interested in learning more about our culture, NAADV welcomes you with open arms! Join us in membership as we celebrate our heritage.
