Below is a family photograph of Robert Gaston Herbert while he was putting the finishing touches on the mural as it was being installed.  On the back of the photograph he had written:

"White men trade with Indians of Long Island for the land (Nassau Co) where Hempstead stands.  Takapousha, chief of the Massapeaque, speaks.  The principle articles in payment were knives, 2 kettles, a double-bitted ax and a 'shirt of holland' ---

Time of year, December

Size of mural about 18ft wide, ten high

Installed in the Board Room in the Village Hall, Hempstead

Painter, Robert Gaston Herbert"

Later was added by his son:

"Dedication 16 Oct. 1943

at 300th anniversary

of the beginning of the

village"

Robert Gaston Herbert competing his mural in 1947

Note that the section over the door is missing from the anniversary photograph, probably because it distracted from the image having the door there without explanation.  The woman closest to the men is holding what Mr. Herbert described as the "Shirt of Holland" (significance unknown). John Carman is holding the double-bitted. The other items of the trade are on the blanket.

Many thanks to grandson Peter Herbert for contributing this marvelous photograph

10/01/2006