350-year-old document going on display Sunday in Albany

ALBANY -- It’s one of the earliest known documents in the country arguing for religious tolerance.

The Flushing Remonstrance, which dates to 1657, will be on display at the New York State Museum on Sunday only to commemorate the anniversary of its signing more than 350 years ago.

The Remonstrance, thought to be a precursor to the first amendment of the Bill of

Rights, was burned in the Capitol fire of 1911.

It has only been displayed 13 times in the last 50 years.

The document was written and signed by 30 English settlers in Queens and addressed to Peter Stuyvesant, director general of the colony, protesting his ban on members of “that abominable sect” of Quakers from practicing their faith, according to the museum.

Some of the signatures were crossed out and some of those who did sign were arrested and imprisoned.

“Throughout the past several years, the Flushing Remonstrance has served to highlight the transformational role that New York State has played throughout American history in issues vital to our national progress,” said New York State

Archivist Christine Ward in a release. “We hope that this iconic document will be viewed by the broadest number of citizens and that its words will reinforce our need to respect human rights and dignity.”

The Remonstrance will be on display inside the Museum’s “1609” exhibition in the “Learning to Live Together” section.

The Museum, located on Madison Avenue in Albany, is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. except on Christmas and New Year's Day. Admission is free.