Zaanse Schans is the Dutch equivalent of Colonial Williamsburg. It showcases Dutch heritage and craft from the 16th to 19th centuries. The houses are well maintained. Some people live in these old houses, although some have moved because of tourists invading their privacy. Some of the other buildings showcase crafts such as wooden shoe making and the Dutch heritage of clock making. We were going to watch the shoe-making demonstration, but the sawdust was getting into my contact lenses. Several museums require admission fees. And several buildings were devoted to selling food and souvenirs.
Each windmill serves (or served) a specific purpose. One ground mustard seeds, another grains, a third was a sawmill.
Farm animals also inhabit Zaanse Schans, mostly sheep. We also saw a few goats and cattle. The critters keep the grass trimmed and simultaneously fertilize the lawn.
I smelled chocolate as we approached the park. This is a very familiar smell to me, as the hospital where I was born was one block away from the Nestle chocolate plant where my father worked. Kitty said there were two chocolate factories in the area. A little something familiar in a strange place.
We highly recommend Zaanse Schans for a good walk, architecture, and history.
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