HISTORY & WHAT TO EXPECT
Many visitors to Holland are looking for signs of our Dutch heritage and find examples all throughout town. However, the place to go to get a taste of our area's Dutch history and culture is Windmill Island Gardens!
Photos courtesy of hollandmuseum.org-
![Rev. Albertus Van Raalte, 1847]()
1847
The City of Holland is founded by a group of Dutch settlers including Rev. Albertus van Raalte. The group was the first of thousands of Dutch to arrive in West Michigan over the next several decades.
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![Black and white photo of Lida Rogers, sitting among tulips in 1929]()
1929
The first Tulip Time festival was held in Holland. The idea originated with Lida Rogers, a local schoolteacher, who suggested planting tulips to honor the area’s Dutch heritage.
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![black and white image from 1947 of street organ at dutch village with two girls in dutch costumes holding buckets in front]()
1947
The City of Amsterdam donates the ‘Four Columns’ street organ to the City of Holland. The gift recognizes gifts and support of the community to the motherland following World War II.
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![Black and white image of 5 founding fathers of Holland, looking at plans]()
1961
City Fathers led by Carter Brown and Willard Wichers meet about procuring a Dutch windmill to honor the area’s heritage.
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![DeZwaan Windmill, Holland, Michigan in 1964]()
1964
After several years of work, permission is granted to relocate the windmill ‘de Zwaan’ to the United States in 1964. It is taken down in the Netherlands and re-erected in Michigan that winter.
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![DeZwaan windmill, Holland, Michigan in 1965]()
1965
Windmill Island opens to the public. Tens of thousands of visitors tour the windmill along with other Dutch attractions and gardens.
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![Windmill Island Gardens Carousel circa 1971]()
1971
The third ‘Dutch treasure’ arrives at Windmill Island. A children’s carousel is purchased from owners in the province of Groningen and brought to West Michigan.
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![DeZwaan Windmill, Holland, MI under consturction in 2013]()
2013
After millwrights discover major structural issues, a multi-million dollar restoration project returns the windmill to working order. The project was made possible by community donations both large and small.
A group of City Fathers in the 1950s and 60s recognized the importance of keeping Dutch heritage alive.
They wanted to provide a place where community members and visitors could gather. They were able to procure the last windmill allowed to leave the Netherlands in 1964. The historic windmill 'de Zwaan' (The Swan) is the highlight of our park and stands amongst over 36 acres of exhibits, gardens, and natural areas. The mill still turns and grinds grain into flour and a self-guided tour up 5 floors is the highlight of any visit to the park!
THE MILL
Our park was built around the windmill 'de Zwaan' (the Swan, in English.) The mill was brought over from Vinkel, Noord Brabant, the Netherlands in 1964 with the park officially opening the following year in 1965. Guests can enjoy a self-guided tour of the mill with docents available for questions along with a video tour to explain more in-depth and for those who cannot climb the stairs to explore the 5 floors of the windmill. The mill still turns and is able to grind grain into flour.
DE ZWAAN WINDMILL
OUR SISTER MILL
We are also excited that we have a 'sister mill' in Vinkel! Decades after De Zwaan was sold to Holland, Michigan, a group of volunteers got together and worked tirelessly to build a new mill in Vinkel, Noord Brabant, the Netherlands along with a community meeting space underneath. The mill was opened in 2020.
OUR MILLERS
Operating a windmill is a historic craft. We are proud to have a small group of dedicated millers who operate de Zwaan. Of course, we’re always looking to add others to this team to keep the craft alive as well as assist with things like packaging and maintenance.
THE FLOUR
While many mills in the Netherlands pump water, ours is a grain-grinding mill. De Zwaan can turn hundreds of pounds of wheat into flour in a matter of hours. We also occasionally mill others grains such as corn or barley. Please note that flour is not currently available as we are working to become re-certified.
36
2025 WINDMILL STATS
TURNING DAYS
46,635
YEARLY ROTATIONS
A MICHIGAN TREASURE
EXPLORE OUR GARDENS
POSTHOUSE DUTCH GARDENS
Honoring the Dutch history of formal gardens while the exemplifying the modern Dutch “New Perennial Movement”, our gardens surrounding our Posthouse burst with season-long color and breathtaking views.
NATIVE POLLINATOR GARDEN
In partnership with the Michigan State University Master Gardener Program, our native pollinator garden shows the beauty and benefits of native plants.
TULIP & COVER CROP FIELDS
With the backdrop of our historic Dutch Windmill, our 2 acres of tulip fields are a sight to behold in mid-spring – but they don’t lose their magic when the tulip petals drop! See rotational cover-cropping at work throughout the summer as the ground prepares for another spectacular tulip display.
CHILDREN’S GARDEN
The whole family will enjoy a mystical boxwood maze, close encounters with feathered friends and a play structure near our children’s carousel.
‘DE GEZELLIGE TUIN’ - THE COMMUNITY GARDEN
With 49 plots, this garden continues the Dutch tradition of Volkstuinen - or people's gardens - where the community comes together to enjoy growing food, flowers, and friendships. For further details or plot availability, please contact greenhouse@cityofholland.com.
WHAT’S BLOOMING?
When entering our park, find our “Blooming Now” display under our park map to see which species are looking in their prime that week. For a sneak peek, check out the listings below!
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Daffodils
Narcissus spp.
Unmistakable, these spring blooming bulbs are sunshine in the garden. Daffodils are planted in fall but come back year after year in full-sun, well draining soil. Unbothered by deer, they seem to be everywhere in the spring at Windmill Island!
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Forsythia
Forsythia spp.
One of the first shrubs to bloom in spring, Forsythia's vibrant yellow blossoms are a herald of the season. These shrubs grow well in shade or sun. Find these along our causeway and near the Gift Shop.
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Hyacinth
Hyacinthus orientalis
A spring blooming bulb, these beautiful flowers form a vertical spire that demands attention! When up close, their fragrance truly evokes spring! These can be found in our park near the Posthouse.
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Lenten Rose
Helleborus orientalis
One of first things to bloom in the garden, Hellebores are one of our most asked about plants. Commonly called "Lenten Rose" because it blooms during the Christian season of Lent, these beauties give hope that spring is on its way.
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Pansies
Viola wittrockiana
Nothing says "Spring!" like the sunny-faced pansy! You'll find hundreds of them planted in containers and beds throughout the gardens each spring. Pansies can grow as perennials in USDA hardiness zones 4-8, but do not do well in summer heat and will cease blooming.
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Magnolia
Magnolia spp.
These blooming trees fill the garden with the fragrance of spring. Windmill Island has several varieties of Magnolias on the grounds. These trees are believed to be one of the oldest types of flowering plants, with fossils dating back to 95 million years ago.
MORE TO DISCOVER
In addition to our formal gardens, our site also features a nearly 1 mile-long walking loop that allows visitors to explore woods, wetlands, and waterways.
This walking loop also takes you past our Friesian Horse pasture, where you can see these magnificent Dutch beauties grazing in the summer months, as well as a variety of wildlife along the way.
AMERICAN PUBLIC GARDENS ASSOCIATION & THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
Windmill Island Gardens is a proud member of the American Public Gardens Association and American Horticultural Society. A current membership to Windmill Island Gardens, American Horticultural Society, or other participating gardens entitles you to special reciprocal admission privileges and discounts at over 300 gardens!
(Please note that reciprocal admission to Windmill Island Gardens does NOT apply during Tulip Time and other special events.)
SEE UPCOMING EVENTS
Discover the magic of every season at Windmill Island Gardens! From hands-on gardening classes to family-friendly festivities, there’s always something blooming. Check out our upcoming events and plan your visit today!
Music played from a working street organ - a gift from the City of Amsterdam after World War II
Rides on an antique Children's carousel for ages 12 and under - complete with hand painted horses and other animals
Over 180,000 tulips in bloom for several weeks in late April and early May
Thousands of annuals and perennials in bloom through spring, summer and fall
Replica structures including a wayside inn, fisherman's houses, an orphanage, and a working mailbox
The historic Little Netherlands display showing life in the low countries in the 1840's when Holland was founded
A permanent 'Tulip Grove' carved from old-growth oak trees
A gift shop featuring Dutch treats including cheese tasting as well as a wide variety of souvenirs
Beautiful walking trails featuring natural areas and wildlife including many bird species that call the Macatawa River delta home
The Conservatory filled with a variety of tropical plants
ISLAND VISITORS CAN ALSO ENJOY:
WHEN VISITING THE ISLAND, PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING POLICIES
Please refrain from consuming any plant material on the grounds.
Do not dig up or disturb planted areas.
Kindly leave all flowers and plants undisturbed for others to enjoy.
Drone use is prohibited without prior authorization.