De Geeuwpoldermolen, Oppenhuizen
Spinnenkop in 2010
Map
Origin
Mill nameGeeuwpoldermolen
Mill locationEast of Oppenhuizen
Coordinates53°0′46″N 5°43′26″E / 53.01278°N 5.72389°E / 53.01278; 5.72389
Operator(s)Stichting De Fryske Mole
Year built1832, restored 1987
Information
PurposeDrainage mill
TypeHollow post
Roundhouse storeysSingle storey roundhouse
No. of sailsFour sails
Type of sailsCommon sails
WindshaftWood
WindingTailpole and winch
Type of pumpArchimedes' screw

The Geeuwpoldermolen (or Geau's Mole in West Frisian) is a drainage mill near the twin village of Oppenhuizen, Friesland, Netherlands. It is a hollow post windmill of the type called spinnenkop by the Dutch. The mill is listed as a Rijksmonument, number 39810 and it is still in use for draining the Geeuwpolder.[1] It was almost completely renewed at a restoration in 1987, earlier restorations were in 1954 and 1965.[2]

History

The exact year of construction is uncertain, 1832 or 1841 are mentioned.[3][4] Though restored earlier, the mill was in a bad state of repair when Stichting De Fryske Mole became owner in 1981. It was scratched from the list of protected monuments and a permit for demolishment had already been given before the national government could be persuaded to at least pay for the yearly maintenance. Money was raised from other public and private parties and by selling postcards to pay for the four year restoration. In 1988 the work was completed and the windmill is currently in regular use to drain the Geeuwpolder.[3] This polder is one of the last remaining summer polders, it is only drained during the summer and allowed to flood in winter. The polder is now a nature reserve owned by Staatsbosbeheer (English: State Forest Management).[2]

Description

For an explanation of the various items of machinery, see Mill machinery.

The Geeuwpoldermolen is what the Dutch describe as a spinnenkop (English: spiderhead mill). It is a small hollow post mill winded by a winch. The four common sails have a span of 12.20 metres (40 ft 0 in) and are carried on a wooden windshaft. The brake wheel on the windshaft drives the wallower at the top of the upright shaft in the body, which passed through the main post into the substructure. At the bottom of the upright shaft, the crown wheel drives the Archimedes' screw. The screw is 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) in diameter.[2] Both body and substructure are weatherboarded with boulders attached to the four lower corners by chains to protect it against blowing over in a storm. It is supported on four brick pillars.

Public access

The mill is open to the public by appointment. It is located on the bank of the Prinses Margrietkanaal and can only be reached by boat.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b "Molenbestand: Geeuwpoldermolen of Geau's Mole te Oppenhuizen/Uitwellingerga" (in Dutch). De Hollandsche Molen. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-07-04.
  2. ^ a b c "Oppenhuizen, Fryslân" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Molendatabase. Retrieved 2012-06-04.
  3. ^ a b "De Geeuwpoldermolen" (in Dutch). Stichting Molens in bedrijf. Archived from the original on 2012-03-05. Retrieved 2012-06-04.
  4. ^ Stichting De Fryske Mole (1995). Friese Molens (in Dutch). Leeuwarden: Friese Pers Boekerij BV. p. 221. ISBN 90 330 1522 6.
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