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LOCAL Thursday 27 February 2025

Create museum memories

ORANJESTAD — Museums are an tury. The Water Tower was built in In the late 1980’s, AMA identified its
integral part of conserving and 1939 and consists of three sections: need for an adequate housing for
honoring cultures, and Aruba is no the substructure, the high-rising ver- its collection and activities. After
exception. Our Island has a wide tical shaft, and the tank at the top. studying various options, a project
selection of various museums for The Water Tower was purchased proposal was drawn up, including
our locals and visitors to see. Take by the Monuments Fund in 2003 so the acquisition and restoration of nent exhibit, financed by the Aru-
this opportunity to learn about our it can be restored and preserved historical buildings in downtown ban Government and the Union of
island and experience a different as one of Aruba's monuments. The Oranjestad. Cultural Organizations (UNOCA),
day beyond the beach. Let us in- Museum of Industry is part of Aruba opened in July 2009.
troduce to you these museums. Museum Foundation (Fundacion These historical buildings were for-
Museo Aruban), which is a founda- merly the property of the Ecury At the new location, the National
tion set to maintain, preserve, and family. The “Ecury Complex”, is a Archaeological Museum Aruba
protect the Aruban cultural sector, cluster of single and two-story his- disposes of approximately 500 m2
history, and nature. The museum of toric buildings, mainly Dutch colo- for its permanent exhibit. This exhib-
Industry is open daily from 9 am till nial architecture from the late 19th it conveys information on the origin
6 pm. and 20th century on a plot of ap- and culture of the first inhabitants
For more information, check out proximately 1.700 m2. of the island through archaeologi-
their Facebook page Museum of cal objects and modern exhibition
Industry Aruba. In 1997, the Aruban Government techniques. The new permanent
bought the complex for the Na- exhibit gives the visitor an insight
Archaeological Museum of Aruba tional Archaeological Museum into the cultures that inhabited the
Museum of Industry Aruba The Archaeological Museum of project. In 2004, a financial agree- island in Pre-Historical and Early
The Museum of Industry is located Aruba is located at Schelpstraat 42 ment was signed with the Europe- Historical times. The museum also
in San Nicolas—better known as in downtown Oranjestad. The reno- an Development Fund and in 2006, hosts attractive public programs,
the art capital of Aruba. This mu- vated historic Ecury complex in the restoration and construction work including lectures, educational
seum exhibits the industrial history area has been transformed from a began on the monumental build- projects, temporary exhibits and
of gold, aloe, phosphate, oil and family home to a modern museum ings and the soon-to-be exhibition workshops.
tourism through elaborated dis- that preserves Aruba’s Amerindian space. In December 2007, the key
plays and multimedia installations. cultural heritage. This 21st century to the complex was delivered and The museum is open daily from 9:30
The Museum of Industry is situated museum is especially designed to the museum’s employees moved am till 4:30 pm. For more informa-
in the Water Tower in San Nicolas preserve valuable artifacts dating to the new location. The final de- tion check out the Facebook page
and narrates Aruba's industrial his- back to the Pre-Ceramic period of sign for the exhibit was completed Museo Arqueologico Nacional
tory, which began in the 19th cen- 2500 BC. in November 2007 and the perma- Aruba.q

Aruba Tourism Authority honored loyal visitors at Paradise Beach Villas

The Aruba Tourism Authority re- Distinguished Visitor (10>years con- gifts, and thanked them for choos- to the honorees for their continued
cently had the great pleasure of secutively visiting Aruba) ing Aruba as their favorite vacation visits to the “One Happy Island”.q
recognizing Goodwill Ambassa- Goodwill Ambassador (20>years destination, as their home away
dors of Aruba. The honorees were consecutively visiting Aruba) from home.
respectively honored with a certifi- Emerald Ambassador (35>years
cate for their years of visits, loyalty, consecutively visiting Aruba) The top reasons for returning to
and love for the island of Aruba. Aruba provided by the honorees
The honorees were: were:
The honorary certification is pre- Goodwill Ambassadors • Aruba’s weather
sented on behalf of the Minister of Mr. Thomas and Mrs. Marie Danes • Aruba’s friendly people
Tourism as a token of appreciation from Canfield,Ohio, United States. • Aruba’s beautiful beaches
and to say “Masha Danki” to guests • Aruba’s sunshine
who have visited Aruba 10, 20, or Mrs. Keyttin Silva, representing the • Aruba’s Casino’s
35 years or more consecutively. Aruba Tourism Authority, and staff
members of Paradise Beach Vil- On behalf of the Aruba Tourism Au-
The three levels of honor are as fol- las bestowed the certificate upon thority, we would like to express our
lows: the honorees, presented them with sincere gratitude and appreciation