Page 12 - AHATA

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LOCAL Wednesday 23 august 2023

Create museum memories

ORANJESTAD — Museums are um of Aruba is located at November 2007 and the per-
an integral part of conserving Schelpstraat 42 in downtown manent exhibit, financed by
and honoring cultures, and Oranjestad. The renovated the Aruban Government and
Aruba is no exception. Our historic Ecury complex in the the Union of Cultural Organi-
Island has a wide selection area has been transformed zations (UNOCA), opened in
of various museums for our from a family home to a July 2009.
locals and visitors to see. modern museum that pre-
Take this opportunity to learn serves Aruba’s Amerindian At the new location, the
about our island and experi- cultural heritage. This 21st National Archaeological
ence a different day beyond century museum is especially Museum Aruba disposes of nent exhibit gives the visitor shops.
the beach. Let us introduce designed to preserve valu- approximately 500 m2 for its an insight into the cultures
to you these museums. able artifacts dating back permanent exhibit. This ex- that inhabited the island in The museum is open daily
to the Pre-Ceramic period hibit conveys information on Pre-Historical and Early His- from 9:30 am till 4:30 pm. For
Museum of Industry Aruba of 2500 BC. the origin and culture of the torical times. The museum more information check out
The Museum of Industry is lo- first inhabitants of the island also hosts attractive public the Facebook page Museo
cated in San Nicolas—better In the late 1980’s, AMA through archaeological ob- programs, including lec- Arqueologico Nacional
known as the art capital of identified its need for an jects and modern exhibition tures, educational projects, Aruba.q
Aruba. This museum exhibits adequate housing for its col- techniques. The new perma- temporary exhibits and work-
the industrial history of gold, lection and activities. After
aloe, phosphate, oil and studying various options, a
tourism through elaborated project proposal was drawn
displays and multimedia in- up, including the acquisition
stallations. and restoration of historical
The Museum of Industry is situ- buildings in downtown Oran-
ated in the Water Tower in jestad.
San Nicolas and narrates Aru-
ba's industrial history, which These historical buildings
began in the 19th century. were formerly the property of
The Water Tower was built the Ecury family. The “Ecury
in 1939 and consists of three Complex”, is a cluster of
sections: the substructure, single and two-story historic
the high-rising vertical shaft, buildings, mainly Dutch co-
and the tank at the top. The lonial architecture from the
Water Tower was purchased late 19th and 20th century
by the Monuments Fund in on a plot of approximately
2003 so it can be restored 1.700 m2.
and preserved as one of
Aruba's monuments. The In 1997, the Aruban Govern-
Museum of Industry is part of ment bought the complex
Aruba Museum Foundation for the National Archaeologi-
(Fundacion Museo Aruban), cal Museum project. In 2004,
which is a foundation set to a financial agreement was
maintain, preserve, and pro- signed with the European De-
tect the Aruban cultural sec- velopment Fund and in 2006,
tor, history, and nature. The restoration and construction
museum of Industry is open work began on the monu-
daily from 9 am till 6 pm. mental buildings and the
For more information, check soon-to-be exhibition space.
out their Facebook page In December 2007, the key to
Museum of Industry Aruba. the complex was delivered
and the museum’s employ-
Archaeological Museum of ees moved to the new loca-
Aruba tion. The final design for the
The Archaeological Muse- exhibit was completed in