Windmill Island Gardens

Windmill Island Gardens

Holland, Michigan

A trip to Holland would not be complete without seeing a windmill. All you have to do in Holland, Michigan to make that happen is to visit Windmill Island Gardens! Here you will get a sampling of Dutch culture and history. And of course tulips, if you come in late April or early May!

The Swan Makes an Entrance

Many Dutch windmills had been damaged during World War II, so the Dutch government placed a ban on selling windmills outside of the Netherlands. However, in 1964, a group of City Fathers from Holland, Michigan were able to procure the last working windmill allowed to leave the Netherlands. The De Zwaan, which means “The Swan” or “Graceful Bird”, had been heavily damaged during the war. An exemption was made to allow its sale, providing a Dutch millwright supervised its relocation and restoration.

 After being built in the 1800’s and used as a grain mill for over a hundred years, this windmill made its way by ship across the ocean to America. De Zwaan was then transported by truck to its new home at Windmill Island Gardens. It took approximately six months of labor to restore the windmill to its original glory.

Today, it is the oldest authentic windmill in the United States. De Zwaan stands as the graceful bird it was intended to be. It still grinds grain into flour, and is open for tours. It’s worth every step up its five floors to see this happen. Also, to witness the view from the top!

A Gift of Music

Windmill Island Gardens is also home to a cherished street organ, made in 1928 by famous organ maker, Carl Frei. The four-column street organ originally played its beautiful music in the streets of Amsterdam. In 1947, it was given to the City of Holland from the City of Amsterdam in gratitude for the role the United States played in liberating the Netherlands in World War II. It’s a true gem, and you can’t help but smile and tap your feet when you hear its happy music playing.

An antique children’s carousel with hand-painted horses and animals is also here to enjoy.

Tulips!

There is so much to experience at Windmill Island Gardens 36 acres of exhibits, but to see 150,000 tulips in bloom is a feast for the eyes! During Tulip Time at the beginning of May, the grounds are a kaleidoscope of colors. Rows and rows of yellows, pinks, reds, oranges, and every color in between. 

One tulip is a beautiful creation, but to stand in the midst of the sheer volume of thousands of tulips is almost sensory overload. It is amazing and magical and so very beautiful.

Tulips share their much-anticipated beauty for just a few short weeks. When the tulips finish blooming, the gardens are planted with thousands of annuals and perennials. I highly recommend visiting at Tulip Time. But I’m confident a visit in summer or fall would also be magnificent.

Windmill Island Gardens is a must-see if you visit Holland, Michigan. Its homage to Dutch history and display of natural beauty is a special gift. You will carry it back home in your heart.

And if all that isn’t enough, on the way home you may see a wooden shoe driving across the street. Only in Holland…