After the Grand Opening
The celebration was followed by a wonderful party in the village café. Overall, the event was a fitting tribute to the tremendous effort to build this fine museum.
But this account would not be complete without mention that the Eenigenburg family visitors enjoyed three days in the village, not only viewing the lovely museum, but touring the local area and even seeing the last home of Gerrit and Jannetje Eenigenburg before their emigration to America.
Some Eenigenburg cousins in the garden at Gerrit & Jannetje’s last home.
(l to r): Paul Eenigenburg, Merritt Bethig, Jill Eenigenburg, Maureen Williams,
Cecille Kuitjen (current resident, whose family bought home in 1930), Jean Bristow,
Bob Eenigenburg, Pat Tysen, Deborah Galambos.
And of course, the traditional pose at the Eenigenburg village sign.
(l to r): Al Tysen, Pat Tysen, Merritt Bethig, Kurt Kosty, Jill Eenigenburg,
Jean Bristow, Pat Eenigenburg, Deborah Galambos, Paul Eenigenburg,
Joan Weamer, Bob Eenigenburg, Diane Eenigenburg.
The festivities culminated with a special family service in the local church from which our ancestors departed when they emigrated in 1849. It was followed by a once-in-a-lifetime canal trip to retrace the initial portion of the journey and was a thrilling highlight for all.
The museum is beautiful. Visitors at the Grand Opening enjoyed viewing the exhibits inside, including thoughtful presentations of the story of religious persecution, and the courageous 1849 emigration and settlement of Roseland (in Chicago) by early Dutch emigrants from Eenigenburg and its environs.