Molen de Eersteling: freshly ground flour from the only mill in Haarlemmermeer

Relocation Windmill from Hoofddorp  

The mill was built in 1856, just after the drying up of the Haarlemmermeerpolder. The parts of the mill were already ready for construction, because originally there was going to be another mill in Katwijk led by master miller DD van Dijk. Until 1930, corn was ground into flour and this was briefly resumed in the famine winter of the Second World War. Even after the war, milling was resumed. In 1977 the mill was moved from the center of Hoofddorp to the current location at the Fort near Hoofddorp on the Hoofdvaart. A unique move for a monument weighing 100.000 kilos. 
 

Windmill at Fort near Hoofddorp 

Since the move, the municipality of Haarlemmermeer has owned the monument. The foundation Cultural Heritage Korenmolen De Eersteling manages the mill shop and maintains the yard and the animals. The blades of the mill tower over the Hoofdvaart and Fort near Hoofddorp. This fort is part of the Defense Line of Amsterdam and was thoroughly renovated two years ago. It is now a unique place where nature and culture come together. The fort houses an open-air theatre, a beautiful Wild Garden, exhibitions and Restaurant Fort Noxx. A visit to the fort and the mill are ideal to combine and a nice stop during a bike ride on the Geniedijk. 

Facts Mill De Eersteling 

The diameter of the blades of Molen de Eersteling is 24,80 metres. The height of the hull of the mill is 11 meters high. The wheelwork of the mill consists of 34 iron rollers. For transferring, there are 64 cams in the top wheel, a top disc with 27 bars, a track wheel with 72 cams, and stone discs with 24 bars.  

Shop in the Eersteling windmill 

Do you feel like baking at home? Then visit the Molen de Eersteling shop. Flour is still ground in the traditional way. And you can buy that to bake at home. You will find all kinds of recipes on the website. From bread mixes to pancake batter and delicious cakes and pies. The miller is happy to tell you about his beautiful profession or talk to one of the thirty volunteers.