Pella (US)
Pella, Iowa, Holland in the USA
In 1847, 800 Dutch immigrants led by Dominee (Minister) Hendrik (Henry) P. Scholte settled the area known as Pella.
In Pella, you can indulge yourself in typical Dutch architecture. It has its own fully functional Mill called the Vermeer Mill. It is completely in the 1850s-style and reaches a height of 41 m. It still grinds wheat into flour using only wind power and by doing so it is the tallest working windmill in the United States
Typical for Pella is its canal going right through the village. When you stand on the Molenpgracht Plaza, in the middle of the shops, restaurants, hotels and movie theatre, you can see the working drawbridge in typical style.
If you're considering visiting Pella you should definitely go during the annual Tulip Time Festival. The locals celebrate their Dutch heritage with tulips gardens, street performances, food, costumes and parades. The festivities last for 3 days and is held during the first weekend in May.
A fun side note is that the locals still speak with a dutch tongue amongst each other. If you're ever there and speak a bit of Dutch, you'll be impressed how communication can go!
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