Page 7 - aruba-today-20240926

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local Thursday 26 sepTember 2024
Create museum memories

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

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

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