Film

The film is featured across multiple screens, with English, Japanese, French, and German versions available at your request. A motley crew of historical characters explain how the windmill complex came about, why the name ‘Kinderdijk’ actually means ‘Children’s Dike’, and just how vital proper water management is for the Netherlands, since large parts of the country are below sea level. It is no longer mandatory to keep 1.5 meters distance, but do give each other some space.

American troops

Secondary pumping station De Fabriek is one of three buildings comprising the entrance zone newly opened in April 2019. This imposing structure occupies a prime spot along the Overwaard’s Lower Basin. This is in fact a replica of the actual auxiliary pumping station that used to be on this very same spot up until 1995, when it was torn down. The decision to demolish the original building was made after the completion of the new G.N. Kok pumping station, which took over its part in regional water management. At the time, nobody thought it was necessary to find a new purpose for the old pumping station.

A special feature of the original secondary pumping station, which was used since 1953 to support the Wisboom facility, were its set of three pumps. These were machines left behind by US forces abandoning the area after the Second World War was over.