Holland Museum Opens Local Immigration History Exhibit

New exhibit "We The People" celebrates immigrant experiences in Holland and Zeeland over the past 250 years.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Holland Museum and Zeeland's Dekker Huis Museum are opening a new joint exhibit called "We The People" that explores the local histories and contributions of immigrant populations in the two cities over the past two-and-a-half centuries, including Cambodian, Mexican, and African-American communities. The exhibit aims to highlight how these diverse experiences, traditions, and contributions have shaped the character of Holland.

Why it matters

The exhibit represents an important effort to share the full, inclusive history of the Holland and Zeeland communities, going beyond the dominant Dutch narrative to recognize the vital roles played by other immigrant groups over the centuries. By celebrating this diversity, the museums hope to foster greater understanding and appreciation for the multicultural foundations of the region.

The details

The "We The People" exhibit will be on display at both the Holland Museum and the Dekker Huis Museum in Zeeland. The Holland Museum's portion will focus on the histories of Cambodian, Mexican, and African-American immigrants, while the Dekker Huis exhibit will highlight the area's Dutch and Native American populations. The museums are partnering with the Zeeland Historical Society on the project.

  • The exhibit opens to the public on Friday, February 10, 2026.
  • A community open house with free admission will be held on February 16, 2026 from 4pm to 7pm.

The players

Maddalena Frissora

Curator of exhibitions at the Holland Museum.

Michelle Stempien

Executive director of the Holland Museum.

Zeeland Historical Society

The historical society partnering with the Holland Museum on the "We The People" exhibit at the Dekker Huis Museum in Zeeland.

Holland Museum

A museum in Holland, Michigan that is hosting the "We The People" exhibit.

Dekker Huis Museum

A museum in Zeeland, Michigan that is hosting a complementary exhibit to "We The People" as part of the partnership with the Holland Museum.

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What they’re saying

“Our goal is to tell everyone's stories.”

— Maddalena Frissora, Curator of exhibitions at the Holland Museum (woodtv.com)

“We really wanted to show how their experiences, tradition and contributions have shaped Holland.”

— Maddalena Frissora, Curator of exhibitions at the Holland Museum (woodtv.com)

“It's incredibly important that we are telling the history of how these two communities, Holland and Zeeland, came to be. That does include the Indigenous story.”

— Michelle Stempien, Executive director of the Holland Museum (woodtv.com)

What’s next

On Feb. 16, 2026, visitors to both museums can attend a community open house from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. that offers free admission for the partner exhibits.

The takeaway

By highlighting the diverse immigrant histories that have shaped Holland and Zeeland over the centuries, the "We The People" exhibit represents an important step towards a more inclusive and representative understanding of the region's past and present. The collaboration between the Holland Museum and Dekker Huis Museum underscores the value of sharing these stories and celebrating the multicultural foundations of local communities.