Windmill Island
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Windmill Island is a municipal park located in the city of Holland, Michigan. It is home to the 245-year-old windmill De Zwaan, the only authentic, working Dutch windmill in the United States.
[edit] History
In 1964, the City of Holland purchased the windmill De Zwaan from a retired miller in the town of Vinkel in the province of Noord Brabant, the Netherlands. The windmill was shipped from the Netherlands to the port of Muskegon, Michigan on the ship Prins Willem van Oranje. It was brought by truck from Muskegon to its present location on Windmill Island. Reconstruction of the mill began in 1964 and the park opened in April of 1965. The island, formerly farmed by Henry F. Koop, was chosen because of the favorable wind conditions there. Although originally a peninsula, a manmade canal turned the land into an assisted island. Before the arrival of De Zwaan, it was known as Hyma Island.
On April 10, 1965, Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands became the first visitor to the park and presided over the grand opening. His ticket and the ten guilder bill he used to purchase it are still on display in the park today.
[edit] Windmill Island today
The park includes approximately 36 acres of land along the Macatawa River and the swamp leading into Lake Macatawa.
Each year Windmill Island hosts approximately 55,000 tourists. The park is open from late April until early October, with the most visitors in early May during the Tulip Time festival. 150,000 tulips are planted on the island each year. In addition to the windmill, the park includes replicas of several historic buildings in the Netherlands. In the summer months, visitors may also see the klompen dance, traditionally performed by local high school students during the annual Tulip Time Festival.
After Tulip Time season is over, Windmill Island is enjoyed by tourists and used to host wedding and events. The Island has a pavilion that can seat up to 300 people. The actual wedding can be held off the island grounds, or outside the pavilion surrounded by the island's gardens.
