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LOCAL Wednesday 18 OctOber 2023

Create museum memories

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

Why You Should Not Miss Aruba’s Free City Center Street Car Tour

ORANJESTAD - Aruba’s an. There are two trolleys, perfect scenery of the is- walk to the famous Renais- and ends at Plaza Nicky.
City Center Street Car - a single-deck one with 42 land’s clear blue skies. Who sance Marina showcasing The first ride starts at 10:00
or as we call it in Dutch; seats and a double-decker would not enjoy a ride on luxurious yachts and Aru- am sharp with intervals of
“Tram van Oranjestad’ - is with 64 seats. The line was this beautiful and naturally ba’s blue waters. 25minutes. The last trolley
a single track tram line in inspired by the popular air-conditioned vehicle? departs from the cruise
Oranjestad, the capital battery-powered streetcar The tour consists of a total The “Tram van Oranjestad” port at 5:00pm. Don’t miss
city of Aruba. It was inau- operation at the Grove in of 9 stops approximately starts from a balloon loop this tour of the beautiful
gurated on 22 December Los Angeles, USA. Aruba’s 200 meters apart from each near the Port of Call and Aruba’s City Center– it is
2012, being the first and so streetcars are powered by other; all stops are clearly serves the downtown area free for all!q
far the only passenger rail hydrogen fuel cells, which marked. The tram will bring
service on Aruba and the are charged by the island’s you close to different mu-
rest of the Dutch Caribbe- year-round trade winds. seums, historical plazas,
monuments, the Protestant
Caya Betico Croes, mostly church, Aruba’s high- end
referred to as our “main mall, retail shops, and a va-
street” has been devel- riety of local and interna-
oped into a pollution-free tional cuisine restaurants.
pedestrian mall. The dou- The “I love Aruba” trade-
ble-decker offers you a 360 mark also belongs to that
degree view of the down list. The third stop on the
town area with a picture route is close to a 5-minute