Foundation Mill “De Lelie”
Geerkade 45
4871 CK Etten-Leur
06-15526452
info@korenmolendelelie.nl
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History of the mill
The first windmills in the coastal areas along the southern North Sea and the Channel date from the second half of the 12th century. The first windmills appeared in the Netherlands during the 13th century. These are post mills where grain is ground into flour. It was probably not until the 15th century that mills were built for the drainage of polders.
Development
The oldest windmill type is the standard windmill. After the Middle Ages, this was largely replaced by a new and more perfect type: the upper porter. Initially, with these windmills, the sail cross must be set to the wind from the hood. Later there will be mills with a tail construction. This allows the miller to operate the mill from below and outside the mill. Another improvement is to place these upper porters on a high wooden or stone base. This way you can take maximum advantage of the wind.
Highlight of the 19th century
From the 17th century onwards, the number of Dutch windmills began to grow rapidly, culminating in the second half of the 19th century. There were an estimated 9,000 windmills in the Netherlands.
Traditionally, grain is grinded into flour with a mill. But all kinds of industrial applications were added, such as pressing oil, making paint or sawing tree trunks. Thanks to these industrial mills, areas such as the Zaan region and Amsterdam could grow into the first industrial centers of the Netherlands. In 1731 there were no fewer than 583 windmills in the Zaan region
Polder mills
In addition, there are the mills that drain the polders. Polder mills have also ensured that our country became larger: the draining of lakes and ponds created the Schermer, the Purmer and the Beemster, among others.
Recent past
After the Second World War in the 20th century, economic and technical developments brought the vast majority of the last wind turbines to a standstill. Fortunately, mill protection then begins to fully develop. Nowadays, mills are monuments that are protected. And thanks to the efforts of many volunteers, wind and watermills are regularly in operation. This attracts attention and interest in this traditional Dutch tool increases again.
Wind language
1. Joy position When something very nice has happened, the miller puts the blades of the mill in the joy position. This is possible when someone gets married or when a child is born. The lowest blade is then attached to the left in front of the middle. Pay attention if you see a mill standing still.
2. Mourning position When someone has died, the miller puts the blades in the mourning position. Everyone then knows that something bad has happened. When you stand in front of the blades, the lowest blade is attached to the right of the center.
3. Short rest position If the mill stands still for a short period of time, this is called a short rest position. People from the area then know that the mill is not working for a while. With this blade position, the blades are completely straight in front of the body of the mill like a plus sign.
4. Long rest mode If the mill is broken and needs to be repaired, it may not work for a while. The miller then puts the sails of the mill into a long rest. People from the area then know that the mill will not work for a longer period of time. The sails of the mill stand in a cross during long periods of rest.
5. Party stand During special celebrations such as National Mill Day, the mill is decorated. The miller does this by hanging flags on the mill. In some places in the Netherlands, windmills are decorated by stringing flags between the sails.
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