The story of the Zaan region begins around 1600 with windmills. There used to be over a thousand industrial mills. Initially they used the wind to keep their feet dry, but later on they used too for sawing wood, pressing oil, milling cocoa beans or making paper.
From 1850 the work of windmills was taken over by steam engines. Only 13 windmills survived and can still be seen at the Zaanse Schans.
Dutch traditional crafts like making wooden shoes, cheese or pewter, are still daily practice at the Zaanse Schans. Daily demonstrations take place.