Page 7 - aruba-today-20240117

a7
local Wednesday 17 January 2024

Create museum memories

Archaeological Museum of
Aruba
The Archaeological Mu-
seum of Aruba is located
at Schelpstraat 42 in down-
town Oranjestad. The reno-
vated historic Ecury com-
plex in the area has been
transformed from a family
home to a modern muse-
um that preserves Aruba’s
Amerindian cultural heri-
ORANJESTAD — Museums which began in the 19th tage. This 21st century mu- National Archaeological
are an integral part of con- century. The Water Tower seum is especially designed In 1997, the Aruban Govern- Museum Aruba disposes of
serving and honoring cul- was built in 1939 and con- to preserve valuable arti- ment bought the complex approximately 500 m2 for
tures, and Aruba is no ex- sists of three sections: the facts dating back to the for the National Archaeo- its permanent exhibit. This
ception. Our Island has a substructure, the high-rising Pre-Ceramic period of 2500 logical Museum project. exhibit conveys information
wide selection of various vertical shaft, and the tank BC. In 2004, a financial agree- on the origin and culture of
museums for our locals and at the top. The Water Tow- ment was signed with the the first inhabitants of the
visitors to see. Take this op- er was purchased by the In the late 1980’s, AMA European Development island through archaeo-
portunity to learn about our Monuments Fund in 2003 so identified its need for an Fund and in 2006, restora- logical objects and mod-
island and experience a it can be restored and pre- adequate housing for its tion and construction work ern exhibition techniques.
different day beyond the served as one of Aruba's collection and activities. began on the monumen- The new permanent exhibit
beach. Let us introduce to monuments. The Museum After studying various op- tal buildings and the soon- gives the visitor an insight
you these museums. of Industry is part of Aruba tions, a project proposal to-be exhibition space. In into the cultures that in-
Museum Foundation (Fun- was drawn up, including December 2007, the key to habited the island in Pre-
Museum of Industry Aruba dacion Museo Aruban), the acquisition and restora- the complex was delivered Historical and Early Histori-
The Museum of Industry is lo- which is a foundation set tion of historical buildings in and the museum’s employ- cal times. The museum also
cated in San Nicolas—bet- to maintain, preserve, and downtown Oranjestad. ees moved to the new lo- hosts attractive public pro-
ter known as the art capital protect the Aruban cultural cation. The final design for grams, including lectures,
of Aruba. This museum ex- sector, history, and nature. These historical buildings the exhibit was completed educational projects, tem-
hibits the industrial history of The museum of Industry is were formerly the proper- in November 2007 and porary exhibits and work-
gold, aloe, phosphate, oil open daily from 9 am till 6 ty of the Ecury family. The the permanent exhibit, fi- shops.
and tourism through elabo- pm. “Ecury Complex”, is a clus- nanced by the Aruban
rated displays and multi- ter of single and two-story Government and the Union The museum is open daily
media installations. For more information, historic buildings, mainly of Cultural Organizations from 9:30 am till 4:30 pm.
The Museum of Industry is check out their Facebook Dutch colonial architecture (UNOCA), opened in July For more information check
situated in the Water Tower page Museum of Industry from the late 19th and 20th 2009. out the Facebook page
in San Nicolas and narrates Aruba. century on a plot of ap- Museo Arqueologico Na-
Aruba's industrial history, proximately 1.700 m2. At the new location, the cional Aruba.q