Already befor the closure of the Zuiderzee by the dike (the Aflsuitdijk) in 1932, Volendam made money with tourism.
This short film shows the then American super star Josehpine Baker visiting the town of Volendam in 1928. She dances on wooden shoes, dressed in tradtional Volendam costume. Not much has changed, tourists can still have their picture taken in Volendam costume, and buy souvenirs and wooden shoes.
The visit must have been quite a spectacle at the time. In 1928 you probably didn't see many Americans in Volendam, let alone a big star like Josephine Baker. And certainly not a black star - for the Volendammers, this may well have been the first time they saw a black person in real life.
Josephine Baker visiting Volendam in 1928
