Windmill Island facts for kids
Aerial view of Windmill Island Gardens
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 Windmill Island Gardens
Location in Michigan
Windmill Island Gardens (Michigan)
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Lake Macatawa |
| Coordinates | 42°47′58″N 86°05′45″W / 42.79944°N 86.09583°W |
| Area | 36 acres (15 ha) |
| Administration | |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Ottawa County |
| City | Holland |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Uninhabited |
Windmill Island Gardens is a fun municipal park in Holland, Michigan. It's famous for being home to De Zwaan. This special windmill is 251 years old. It's the only real, working Dutch windmill in the whole United States.
The Story of Windmill Island
In 1964, the city of Holland bought the De Zwaan windmill. It came from a retired miller in a town called Vinkel in the Noord Brabant province of the Netherlands. The windmill traveled a long way across the ocean. It was shipped from the Netherlands to Muskegon, Michigan on a ship called the Prins Willem van Oranje.
Once it arrived, the windmill was brought by truck to its current spot. This spot is now Windmill Island. Workers started putting the mill back together in 1964. The park officially opened in April 1965. The island was chosen because it had good wind for the windmill. It used to be a piece of land connected to the mainland. But a man-made canal turned it into an artificial island. Before the windmill arrived, it was known as Hyma Island.
On April 10, 1965, Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands visited the park. He was the very first visitor! He also helped open the park in a grand ceremony. His ticket and the ten guilder bill he used are still on display. You can see them in the park today.
What You Can See Today at Windmill Island Gardens
The park covers about 36 acres (15 ha) of land. It sits along the Macatawa River. This river leads into Lake Macatawa.
Every year, around 55,000 people visit Windmill Island Gardens. The park is open daily from late April to early October. The busiest time is in early May. This is when the Tulip Time Festival happens. More than 100,000 tulips are planted on the island each year. The gardens are full of beautiful flowers all summer and autumn.
Besides the famous windmill, the park has other cool things. There are replicas of old buildings from the Netherlands. In the summer, you might even see the klompen dance. This is a traditional dance. Local high school students perform it during the annual Tulip Time Festival.
After the Tulip Time season, visitors still enjoy the island. The park often hosts weddings and other events. The island has a celebration pavilion. It can hold up to 300 people. Wedding ceremonies are usually held outside in the gardens. Receptions and banquets take place in the pavilion.
Images for kids
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De Zwaan windmill
