Aruba - Huisje Wild

During the 19th century, most of Aruba’s African slaves lived in Oranjestad either with their owners or as free individuals of families in separate houses, there was little separation between the free and the enslaved population. In the larger city houses in Oranjestad owners and enslaved lived together as master and household slave. One of the (likely) living houses of enslaved and their owners, is selected as a Place of Memory. Schelpstraat 12 – Huisje Wild – is an example of spatial and cultural propinquity of enslaved (family Wild) and owners (Gabriel Ruiz). According to oral sources, after the abolition of slavery, the emancipated family Wild obtained the house. Further research of Huisje Wild must clarify unanswered questions on the history of this monument. 

Huisje Wild is located in the historic centre of Oranjestad, next to the Monuments Office and the future Archaeological Museum Aruba (under construction). The management of the renovated and modernized building is in the secure hands of the National Monuments Council. In the near future it will be given a cultural function. It will be accessible for tourists and educational projects.