Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine April 2018 | Page 534

St. Eustatius Historical
Foundation “Museum”
Submitted by Misha Spanner
The St. Eustatius Historical Foundation “Museum”
is a prestigious award winning museum, located
in the heart of “Oranjestad” Town. The Prominent
two- storey town house was probably built
around the 1700’s, and belonged to a rich
merchant and planter called Simon Zymonsz
Doncker, who lived from 1714 - 1796.The Doncker
Family originated from the Dutch province of
Zeeland, and settled on St. Eustatius by the end
of the 17th century. They were known to be a
powerful and wealthy family on St. Eustatius, who
in fact ruled the island during the 18th century.
The Simon Doncker House was located where a
fascinating view of the town area, Fort Oranje, the
harbor and the Caribbean Sea can be enjoyed.
In 1781, the British Admiral George Brydges
Rodney made the “House” his headquarters, after
capturing the island as spite for its involvement
in secretly supplying America with ammunition
and other contraband, during the American
Revolution war. Throughout the centuries the
house was used as a dwelling for several families,
leaving behind lots of shared history, stories and
fond memories that have been passed down
through generations.
The Simon Doncker House (Museum) is managed
by the St. Eustatius Historical Foundation, which
was founded in 1974, and is one of the longest
standing “non-profit organizations” on St.
Eustatius. The aim, vision and purpose of the St.
Eustatius Historical Foundation is Preservation,