BARRHEAD - The Neerlandia Historical Society is trying to bring a taste of the Netherlands to the hamlet through a 30-foot-high windmill and an authentic Dutch street organ.
The problem is that they will need a little help to make it a reality.
Currently, the items reside at the Canadian Dutch Centre in Edmonton.
Society chairperson Jan Harink said they learned that the items needed to be moved after one of their members attended a function at the centre and discovered the Dutch Canadian Society that runs the facility had put it up for sale.
"I guess it is like many groups these days," he said. "Many of their members are getting older and can no longer maintain the building."
Harink said they are negotiating with the club to purchase the 1 windmill, which stands 30-feet tall with a base of 15 feet.
"We would have to move sometime in the next two months," he said.
Due to its size, Harink said the windmill would have to be moved in three pieces, and even then, he noted that it would require a crane and probably multiple flatbed trucks.
He added the society had yet to decide on a site for the windmill, but they hope to have one set, preferably somewhere in the hamlet, and installed by next spring or summer.
Harink said the society is also hoping to purchase a genuine Dutch street organ that is also being made available due to the sale of the centre.
"It is a genuine article. I am Dutch and remember seeing these organs on the street as a kid," he said.
Harink said the organ in question is roughly 100 years old and is the only one in Canada.
"Currently, they have a really good offer from the manufacturer to send it back to them," he said, adding this particular organ is of historical significance. "It is 100 years old and is the only one in our country ... and when you lose items like these that are historically significant, it is almost impossible to get them back."
As for how people can help, Harink said the historical society said that although they have some funds set aside, financial donations would be appreciated as they do not know how much the final sale will put them back or how much it will cost to secure a potential site and to install and showcase the items.
"We are hoping that we can showcase the windmill and street organ and hope to make it a bit of a tourist attraction for Neerlandia and just have some fun with it," he said.
He added they also hope to keep their costs down by having people help transport the items.
Harink said the society is very close to securing a deal for the windmill, and he is confident that they will also be able to do so for the organ.
However, he reiterated that the clock is ticking, saying the items need to be moved within the next two months because of the pending sale of the Canadian Dutch Centre.
For more information about the project, contact Harink via his cellphone at 780-284-0384. Texts are preferred.
