At the outset of the twentieth century, the water scarcity issue prompted Curaçao to establish the Landswatervoorzieningsdienst (LWV) in 1928. This service was set up to provide potable water to Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. During this period, the department made the decision to create wells where residents could access well water free of charge.

In 1933, Aruba took the initiative to construct its own seawater distillation plant in Balashi. This marked the inception of Aruba’s independent water distribution infrastructure. In order to address the challenge of low water pressure during peak hours, the decision was made to construct two water towers. The San Nicolas water tower was officially opened on August 14th, 1939, followed by the Oranjestad water tower on November 4th, 1939.

                        The water tower personnel in 1953

The tower in San Nicolas was restored in 2013 and in 2016 the Museum of Industry opened its doors to the public.

This museum reflects human ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of industrial advancement. It charts Aruba’s history through the lenses of gold mining, aloe cultivation, phosphate processing, and the oil industry. While some of these are no longer viable, they are pillars shaping Aruba’s socio-economic landscape.

Each exhibit at the Museum of Industry is meticulously curated to engage visitors, blending educational content with interactive displays. The narrative begins with the indigenous Arawak people, moves through Spanish and Dutch colonization, and explores the monumental shift brought about by the discovery of gold in the 19th century.

The story doesn’t end there, as the museum also dives deep into the aloe industry’s global impact, the phosphate trade’s rise and fall, and the dramatic effect of the San Nicolas oil refinery.

What sets the museum apart is its ability to make history accessible and engaging for all ages.

Through a combination of artifacts, multimedia displays, and storytelling, the Museum of Industry invites visitors on a journey through time.

Be sure to add the Museum of Industry to your Aruba itinerary. You’ll leave with a better understanding of Aruba’s resilience and innovation.