The Holland America Club of the Pacific Northwest is celebrating its fifty year anniversary this November. While membership has declined from its peak of 600 members, the club is still going strong.

Spokesman Stefan Adelaar explains: "The club officially started 60 years ago but did not get incorporated till 1962. Its mission is to represent the Dutch culture the best way possible. Events include a Sinterklaas celebration, a New Years borrel, a Summer Picnic, a Queens Birthday party and a Senior Luncheon". The club used to publish magazine for its members, the Wind Mill, but nowadays communication is done electronically.

Says Stefan: "It’s hard to keep track of actual membership since we switched to a non-paying membership base. However, we now have an email following of 200 through the HAC list and close to 600 members on the Dutch Seattle website."

New Dutch immigrants

The Seattle area saw an influx of Dutch immigrants during the 90s and 2000s mostly because of the fast growing Puget Sound economy, largely due to Boeing and Microsoft. The new millennium also brought more access to "home" via different forms of communications. The Internet made it easier to keep tabs on family and current events in Holland. Communication between members became easier as well. The club adjusted to these changes and in 2011 switched from a paid membership organization to a non-paying base, with communication within the Dutch community mainly through the online DutchSeattle website and email.

Anniversary celebration

An official celebration is planned for Saturday, October 20th. The dinner and dance party will be held at the Novelty Hill Januik Winery.

Holland America Club of the Pacific Northwest
Dutch Seattle.com and