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Thursday 24 april 2025 locAl
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Aruba: The island of Aloes
ORANJESTAD – Aloe vera, a In the 19th century, Aruba
succulent plant species, is was the main supplier of aloin
renowned for its incredible for laxative, which was im-
properties for the skin. It is ported abroad to the United
widely distributed and usu- States and Europe. The aloin
ally grows in tropical, semi- from Aruba and Curaçao
tropical and arid climates was known to be one of
on the planet. But this plant the best in the world and
also had a very prominent was more expensive, which
role in the history of Aruba, meant that at the time, it
and its significance to the had significant economic
island’s economy endures impact, particularly for the
to this day. local farmers.
The leaves of Aloe vera con- However, by the time the oil
tain a good amount of gel industry arrived on Aruba, it
which when used topically, changed the labor market
is great for the skin. Tradition- on Aruba, shifting away from
ally, Arubans use this gel to agriculture. It would be af-
treat minor burns and other ter World War II that aloe
skin ailments, or just to keep would make a comeback.
skin supple and looking bright And eventually, as science
and nourished. Aside from duced the plant after it had cultivate and harvest the learned about the amazing houses are also decorated
the gel, aloe contains a bit- been introduced in other is- aloe to produce the laxative. properties of aloe gel, the in- with aloe motifs, and at some
ter, yellow substance (called lands of the Caribbean to dustry shifted from produc- point, aloe even featured on
aloin) which is a gentle but Around 1920, about two- ing laxative to producing skin post stamps. Around 1920,
powerful laxative, and it is thirds of Aruba was aloe care. An interesting fact is about two-thirds of Aruba
also the origin of the industry fields, earning our island that in 1951, the production was aloe fields, earning our
of aloe in Aruba. the nickname “The Island of Aruban aloe amounted island the nickname “The Is-
of Aloes.” to around 30 percent of the land of Aloes.” And in 1955,
According to the website of total global production! the aloe became a part of
Royal Aruba Aloe, Aloe vera Under Commander Jan Aruba’s coat of arms, sym-
was introduced in Aruba Helenus Ferguson (1866- The impact and relevance bolizing prosperity for the
around 1840, when most of 1871), aloe experienced a of aloe is visible all around island.q
the island’s inhabitants were boom, which is why there is a Aruba. While most homes will
farmers of little means. Dutch road named after him, which have a few plants for per- Images from the archive of
Governor Van Raders intro- goes through the aloe fields. sonal use and decoration, the National Library of Aruba.
Create museum memories
ORANJESTAD — Museums are vertical shaft, and the tank century museum is especially
an integral part of conserving at the top. The Water Tow- designed to preserve valu-
and honoring cultures, and er was purchased by the able artifacts dating back
Aruba is no exception. Our Monuments Fund in 2003 so to the Pre-Ceramic period
Island has a wide selection it can be restored and pre- of 2500 BC.
of various museums for our served as one of Aruba's
locals and visitors to see. monuments. The Museum In the late 1980’s, AMA
Take this opportunity to learn of Industry is part of Aruba identified its need for an
about our island and experi- Museum Foundation (Funda- adequate housing for its col- a financial agreement was permanent exhibit. This ex-
ence a different day beyond cion Museo Aruban), which lection and activities. After signed with the European De- hibit conveys information on
the beach. Let us introduce is a foundation set to main- studying various options, a velopment Fund and in 2006, the origin and culture of the
to you these museums. tain, preserve, and protect project proposal was drawn restoration and construction first inhabitants of the island
the Aruban cultural sector, up, including the acquisition work began on the monu- through archaeological ob-
Museum of Industry Aruba history, and nature. The mu- and restoration of historical mental buildings and the jects and modern exhibition
The Museum of Industry is lo- seum of Industry is open daily buildings in downtown Oran- soon-to-be exhibition space. techniques. The new perma-
cated in San Nicolas—better from 9 am till 6 pm. jestad. In December 2007, the key to nent exhibit gives the visitor
known as the art capital of For more information, check the complex was delivered an insight into the cultures
Aruba. This museum exhibits out their Facebook page These historical buildings and the museum’s employ- that inhabited the island in
the industrial history of gold, Museum of Industry Aruba. were formerly the property of ees moved to the new lo- Pre-Historical and Early His-
aloe, phosphate, oil and the Ecury family. The “Ecury cation. The final design for torical times. The museum
tourism through elaborated Archaeological Museum of Complex”, is a cluster of the exhibit was completed in also hosts attractive public
displays and multimedia in- Aruba single and two-story historic November 2007 and the per- programs, including lectures,
stallations. The Archaeological Muse- buildings, mainly Dutch co- manent exhibit, financed by educational projects, tem-
The Museum of Industry is um of Aruba is located at lonial architecture from the the Aruban Government and porary exhibits and work-
situated in the Water Tower Schelpstraat 42 in downtown late 19th and 20th century the Union of Cultural Orga- shops.
in San Nicolas and narrates Oranjestad. The renovated on a plot of approximately nizations (UNOCA), opened
Aruba's industrial history, historic Ecury complex in the 1.700 m2. in July 2009. The museum is open daily
which began in the 19th area has been transformed from 9:30 am till 4:30 pm. For
century. The Water Tower from a family home to a In 1997, the Aruban Govern- At the new location, the more information check out
was built in 1939 and con- modern museum that pre- ment bought the complex National Archaeological the Facebook page Museo
sists of three sections: the serves Aruba’s Amerindian for the National Archaeologi- Museum Aruba disposes of Arqueologico Nacional
substructure, the high-rising cultural heritage. This 21st cal Museum project. In 2004, approximately 500 m2 for its Aruba.q