ABOUT US
ABOUT THE DUTCH HERITAGE BOOSTERS
“The purpose of the group is to support and promote Dutch customs, projects and events. To extend the celebration of Dutch heritage from three days to the entire year.”
– Betsy Huibregtse, founding member.
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In the 1980s, a couple of devoted citizens recognized a gap in Orange City's efforts to promote and preserve Dutch customs. While the steering committee was involved in the Tulip Festival and the City Chamber promoted business growth, there was no group solely dedicated to preserving Dutch heritage. Determined to fill this void, the devoted citizens rallied other like-minded individuals and founded the Dutch Heritage Boosters in 1986.
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In our inaugural year, the founding DHB Committee introduced various cultural events to Orange City including Sinterklaas Day, "Dutch Dinner Theaters” and Dutch culture and language classes in the local elementary schools. Over 35 years later, the DHB remains committed to our mission of preserving and promoting Dutch heritage in Orange City.
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Today, we continue to serve the community in a variety of ways. From selling poffertjes at the Little White Store to providing the many trees lining main street, from preserving the Century Home to celebrating Sinterklaas Day, the DHB is a cornerstone of Orange City's cultural identity. Their efforts would not be possible without the help of hundreds of volunteers who contribute their time and energy throughout the year.
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With our unwavering dedication to preserving Dutch heritage, the Dutch Heritage Boosters strive to be examples of community involvement and civic engagement. The legacy of service and celebration will undoubtedly endure for many more decades to come.
HISTORY OF ORANGE CITY
Orange City was founded by first and second-generation Dutch-Americans who sought to settle a new colony in Northwest Iowa. A small group from Pella, Iowa traveled to Sioux County in April of 1869 and found expansive land with rich, fertile soil.
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In June of that same year a new committee consisting of Henry Hospers, Leendert Vander Meer, Dirk Vanden Bos, and Hendrick Jan Van De Waa traveled to Sioux County to stake their claim.
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Like all Hollanders, the Dutch in the new colony cherished their homeland where many of their families still lived. With patronage to the Dutch royal family, the settlement was called “Orange City,” in honor of the Royal House of Orange.
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