Zeeland Historical Museum/Dekker Huis
37 E. Main Avenue
P. O. Box 165
Zeeland, MI 49464
Phone: (616) 772-4079

Hours:
Open March through September, Thursday, 10am-7pm, Sat., 10am-2pm
October through February – Sat. 10a – 2p    (other times by appointment)

Some of the exhibits include a log cabin home, one-room school from 1910, the Pioneer Room with items settlers brought from the Netherlands in the mid 1800's, a collection of
local historic photographs, etc.  For further information online:
http://www.ci.zeeland.mi.us/zhs/ZeelandMuseum.htm  

Zeeland Historical Society
2008 Schedule of Events

Programs for 2008 – General Contact:  616-875-8036
 

Zeeland Historical Society

www.zeelandhistoricalsociety.org    www.newgroningenschoolhouse.org    www.stepintothepast.org

President:  Nancy Curnick – 772-5440
Museum Manager:  Anna Vandeventer – 748-1953
Historical Society Manager:  Kit Karsten – 875-8036

February 21, 7:00 p.m. – President Lincoln Visits Michigan.  Event Sponsor:   Holland/Zeeland Civil War Roundtable.  Speaker will be State Senator Tom George from Kalamazoo.  Program will be held at the Howard Miller Community Center, 14 S Church ST – Zeeland. Contact: 403-2239. 

April 17, 7:00 p.m. – If This Coat Could Talk.  Event Sponsor:  Holland/Zeeland Civil War Roundtable.  Speaker will be Dave Broene who will share the artifacts and story of a soldier from the 4^th Rhode Island Artillery at Gettysburg.  Program will be held at the Howard Miller Community Center, 14 S Church ST – Zeeland.  Contact:  616-403-2239.

April 19, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Day of the Young Child Event ~ Scavenger Hunt at Dekker Huis Museum.  Event Sponsor:  Zeeland Historical Society.  Contact:  616-875-0836.  

April 22, 7:00 p.m. – “The Farm That Was A Zoo” ~ The story of the Getz Farm, which was at one time the largest privately owned zoo in the United States, will be presented by Geoff Reynolds, director of the Joint Archives of Holland.  Presentation will take place at the Howard Miller Community Center, 14 S Church ST – Zeeland.   Contact:  616-875-8036. 

May 3, Time:  TBD – 1^st Annual Historical Society Arts & Antique Auction. 

May 15, 7:00 p.m. – Civil War Presentation by Roger Rosentreter, Editor of the Michigan History Magazine.  Location:  Howard Miller Community Center, 14 S Church ST – Zeeland.  Contact:  616-403-2239. 

May 26 – Memorial Day Coffee serving juice and pastries before the Memorial Day Parade at Dekker Huis Museum, 37 E Main AVE – Zeeland. 

June 6, Time:  TBD  – Biannual Zeeland Historical Society Sports Hall of Fame Banquet.  Banquet and program will honor three of Zeeland’s sports personalities.  Event will be held at the Howard Miller Community Center.  Contact:  616-875-0836.

June 7, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – 5^th Annual Historic Home Tour.  This year several of Zeeland’s elegant historic homes will be featured.  Vintage cars will transport ticket holders to and from each location.  Advance ticket cost is $22 per person; $25 on the day of the event.  Contact:  748-1953. 

July 12, Noon to 3:00 p.m. – Zeeland Historical Society Ice Cream Social.  The Ice Cream Social will be held on the back lawn of the Dekker Huis Museum in conjunction with Zeeland’s Annual Show & Shine Car Show.  Meyer’s Scouting Museum will also be on display on the museum’s back lawn. 

September 9, 7:00 p.m. – Presentation on the story of the Old Wing Mission in the Holland area prior to the Dutch settlement in 1874 by Dr. Robert Swierenga of the Van Raalte Institute of Holland.  Program will be held at the Howard Miller Community Center, 14 S Church ST, Zeeland.  Contact:  875-8036.

September 30 - October 3, 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Annual 2^nd Grade Historical Tours of Zeeland and Dekker Huis Museum held during the week of Pumpkinfest.  Contact:  875-8036. 

October 3, 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Annual 5^th Grade Mini History Tours at Step into the Past.  These tours are held during the week of Pumpkinfest.  Location:  Huizenga Park.  Sponsors:  Zeeland Public Schools & the Zeeland Historical Society.  Contact:  886-0895. 

October 4 & 5 – 5^th Annual “Step Into the Past” Historic Time Line Reenactment.  Watch your local, state and country’s history come alive right before your eyes.  Talk with reenactors and find out first-hand what actually happened in our history.  Volunteers are needed.  Contact:  886-0895.  Hours:  Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Opening ceremony at 10a.m.).  Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with the Period Church service beginning at 10:00 a.m.  Admission is FREE.

October 9, 7:00 p.m. – Ladies of the Lights.  Back by popular demand, Diana Stampfler tells of the women who served in Michigan Lighthouses over the decades.  Program held at the Howard Miller Community Center, 14 S Church ST, Zeeland.  Contact:  875-8036.

December 1, 6-8:00 p.m. – “Museum by Moonlight”.  Visit Dekker Huis Museum in conjunction with Zeeland’s Magical Christmas Parade.  Hot chocolate will be served.  Contact:  875-8036 or 748-1239. 

December 5, 6:30 p.m. - Annual Membership Banquet.  Reservations are required by calling 875-8036.  Location:  Howard Miller Community Center banquet room.