The Zeeland Historical Society will host the first ever Books and Blooms activity on Monday, June 10! Each Books and Blooms will begin with a Story Time hosted by the Herrick District Library at 10:00 am, followed by a fun, educational, and hands-on activity at 10:30 am. During the new Books and Blooms series located at Windmill Island Gardens, children can not only enjoy interactive stories, songs, and activities, but also enjoy our children’s carousel, playground, and children’s garden.
This Monday during the first Books and Blooms of the season, children will have the opportunity ‘Meet Miffy’! Miffy is a beloved Dutch rabbit drawn in a style called ‘De Stijl’ created by artist Dick Bruna in the 1950’s featured in cartoons, books, and more in the Netherlands. Children can learn about Miffy and her adventures riding her bicycle, having a picnic, going to school, and more with staff from the Zeeland Historical Society!
The Zeeland Historical Society runs the 1881 New Groningen Schoolhouse on Paw Paw Drive, and the Dekker Huis Museum on Main Street in Zeeland, Michigan sharing the history of Zeeland and surrounding Dutch communities of Borculo, Nordelous, Vriesland, Beverdam, and more. Their museum exhibits rotate twice per year, with a new Agriculture in the Area exhibit running June – December. The Zeeland Historical Society’s mission is to link the past and the present, and to inspire future generations by collecting, preserving, and interpreting the history of Zeeland and surrounding local communities.
Families are invited to Windmill Island Gardens every other Monday morning for our new bi-weekly Books and Blooms series from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm through August 12. The bi-weekly Books and Blooms series will begin with an interactive Story Time hosted by the Herrick District Library starting at 10:00 am, followed by a come-and-go style activity led by a local non-profit organization from 10:30 am until 12:00 pm. The full schedule of activities can be found below, and on the Books and Blooms Facebook event page. Activities are free to attend for Holland residents, with regular admission rates applying to non-Holland residents. A parent or guardian must remain onsite the entire time to supervise their children. Activities take place in the park on the East side of the Posthouse building at Windmill Island Gardens (1 Lincoln Ave, Holland, MI, 49423).
For more details on Books and Blooms and other upcoming events at Windmill Island Gardens, visit www.windmillisland.com. Windmill Island Gardens is open daily from 9:30am – 6:00pm (last admission sold at 5:00pm) through October 1.
Upcoming Books & Blooms Dates
June 10
Meet Miffy
Zeeland Historical Society
Meet Miffy! Miffy is a beloved Dutch rabbit drawn in a style called ‘De Stijl’ created by artist Dick Bruna in the 1950’s featured in cartoons, books, and more in the Netherlands. Children can learn about Miffy and her adventures riding her bicycle, having a picnic, going to school, and more with staff from the Zeeland Historical Society!
June 24
Blooming Shoes
Holland Museum
Join us to create your very own Blooming Shoes! With help from the Holland Museum will help children will create origami Dutch wooden shoes, or ‘klompen’, and create flowers out of pipe cleaners, paper, and more to fill your shoe!
July 8
Planting Seeds & Yard Games
Holland Parks and Recreation
Join our friends from Holland Recreation as they guide participants in planting their very own seeds in pots they can proudly take home. After planting their own pots, there will be a variety of yard games available for families to enjoy.
July 22
Water Conservation Rain Cloud Mobile
Holland Board of Public Works
Children can learn all about how water is essential to life! Join us to learn about 5 different water conservation tips how you can save water in your everyday life by creating and decorating your own Rain Cloud Mobile to take home!
August 5
Dutch Games and Fun
Windmill Island Gardens
Our very own Windmill Island Gardens staff will show children how to play various Dutch games, try on Dutch costumes, and more!
August 12
Living Necklaces
MSU Extension
Children can create their very own Living Necklace with help from the MSU Extension! Learn about plant germination and take home your very own plant that you can care for, watch grow, and… wear!
About Windmill Island Gardens: Windmill Island Gardens offers a small slice of the Netherlands in West Michigan. The park features tours of ‘de Zwaan’ – America’s only authentic, working Dutch windmill. Other highlights include an Amsterdam street organ and children’s carousel among many Dutch replica buildings and exhibits. During Tulip Time in May, visitors can delight in 100,000+ tulips in beds and fields. A proud member of the American Public Garden Association and American Horticultural Society, the Island is transformed each summer with a beautiful display of annuals and perennials found in themed beds and throughout the landscape. Visitors can enjoy it all from mid-April to early October each year.
