The Scherpenberg mill, located in
Westmalle
Westmalle is a village in the Belgium, Belgian province of Antwerp (province), Antwerp which is part of the municipality of Malle.
History
Tourism
Westmalle is primarily known for the Trappist Abbey of Westmalle of the Order of Cistercians of t ...
,
Belgium
Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. Situated in a coastal lowland region known as the Low Countries, it is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeas ...
, is a
tower mill
A tower mill is a type of vertical windmill consisting of a brick or stone tower, on which sits a wooden 'cap' or roof, which can rotate to bring the sails into the wind.Medieval science, technology, and medicine: an encyclopedia (2005), 520
Thi ...
that was built in 1843 to
grind grain into flour. It is currently owned and operated by the municipal authorities of
Malle
Malle () is a municipality located in the Campine region of the Belgian province of Antwerp. The municipality comprises the villages of Oostmalle and Westmalle. In 2021, Malle had a total population of 15,620. The total area is 51.99 km2.
...
, who only operate it temporarily.
History
The mill was built in 1843 by Joannes and Petrus Mullenbrück (alternately found as Meulenbroeck). The Mullenbrücks were the sons of Christianus Mullenbrück, who had come from
Westphalia
Westphalia (; ; ) is a region of northwestern Germany and one of the three historic parts of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It has an area of and 7.9 million inhabitants.
The territory of the region is almost identical with the h ...
to
Westmalle
Westmalle is a village in the Belgium, Belgian province of Antwerp (province), Antwerp which is part of the municipality of Malle.
History
Tourism
Westmalle is primarily known for the Trappist Abbey of Westmalle of the Order of Cistercians of t ...
in 1808. Joannes became a miller in Westmalle, and his brother Petrus moved to
Ossendrecht in the
Netherlands
, Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...
where he also worked as a miller.
The mill was in use until 1961, when it became obsolete. The municipality of Westmalle subsequently purchased the mill in 1962, when Jozef Caers began the first restoration work. After several years or restoration, the mill again became operational in 1985. In 2003, major maintenance work was carried out.
Owners and millers
The owners of the mill are as follows:
*Christianus Mullenbrück-Aerts (1843–1853)
*Joannes Mullenbrück-Nicolay (1853–1881)
*Franciscus Stevens-Mullenbrück (1881–1891)
*Franciscus Janssens-Geerts (1891–1930)
*Gustaaf Janssens-Van de Mierop, and his widow (1930–1954)
*Magdalena and Laura Huyskens-Janssens (1956–1962)
*Municipal authorities of Westmalle (1962–1977)
*Municipal authorities of Malle (as of 1977)
The millers are as follows, please note that some owners also acted as miller:
*Joannes Mullenbrück-Nicolay (1843–1881)
*Franciscus Stevens-Mullenbrück (1881–1891)
*Jan Verschueren (1891–1927)
*Frans Boekx (1927–1954)
*Jozef Boekx (1954–1962)
*Municipal authorities of Westmalle (1962–1977)
*Municipal authorities of Malle (as of 1977)
See also
*
Molinology
*
Windmill
A windmill is a machine operated by the force of wind acting on vanes or sails to mill grain (gristmills), pump water, generate electricity, or drive other machinery.
Windmills were used throughout the high medieval and early modern period ...
References
Tower mills
Grinding mills
Tourist attractions in Antwerp Province
Buildings and structures in Antwerp Province
Windmills in Belgium
Windmills completed in 1843
1843 establishments in Belgium
Malle
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