Dekker Huis Museum Sign - April 16, 2021

The property at 37 East Main in Zeeland, Michigan, was purchased by Dirk and Leuntje Dekker in 1876. At that location, they built a home and operated a grocery store until about 1915. Following their deaths, their son, Henry, opened a jewelry store and lived in the home with his wife, Agnes, and their children.

The property was held in the family for about 99 years at which time Randall Dekker, son of Henry and Agnes Dekker, sold the property to the Zeeland Historical Society.

In honor of the Dekker family and their long history on Main Street, a new interpretive sign was installed on the 45th anniversary of the Dekker Huis and Zeeland Historical Museum. The sign recognizes the Dekker family, the history of the building, and the Dekker Huis Museum. 

A sincere thank you to the following people for their help in bringing this plaque to fruition:

• Dorothy Voss - envisioned and pioneered the project
• Dorothy Voss and Susan Norder - collaborated on design, text and images
• Jan Reimink - graphic designer at Zeeland Print Shop
• Brian VanHoven - printed the sign (Zeeland Print Shop)
• Brian Voss - constructed the sign bracket
• Brian Voss and Mike Drost - assisted with the sign's installation
• Top Line Equipment of Zeeland - donated materials