De Olde Molen

De Olde Molen is a windmill in Palm Beach, Aruba. It was originally built in 1815 as a windpump in Winschoterzijl, Groningen, Netherlands. In 1897, it was moved to Wedderveer, Groningen where it served as a gristmill. In 1960, it was bought by Theo Paalman and G.J. Woudenberg, two Aruban businessmen, disassembled and rebuilt in Aruba. The windmill is home to a restaurant and a windmill museum. It is located next to the Bubali Bird Sanctuary.[1]

De Olde Molen
De Olde Molen (2013)
Origin
Mill locationPalm Beach, Aruba
Coordinates12.56321°N 70.04727°W / 12.56321; -70.04727
Year built1815
Information
PurposeRestaurant (1962–)
Gristmill (1897–1939)
Windpump (1815–1883)
Smock sidesEight sides
No. of sailsFour sails

History

In 1804 a mill was constructed as a windpump in Winschoterzijl. The mill burnt down in 1814, and was rebuilt in 1815.[2][3][4] In 1883, it was sold,[1] and was relocated to Wedderveer, Groningen. In 1897, the windmill was rebuilt and functioned as a gristmill.[2] During the Wedderveer period, the mill was also known as Molen van Snelter and Molen van Jonker.[3] It remained in operation until 1939,[4] and on 2 October 1958, the demolition was approved.[3]

Theo Paalman and G.J. Woudenberg, two Aruban businessmen, bought the mill in 1960, and planned to move it to Aruba as a tourist landmark.[5] De Olde Molen was carefully disassembled, and prepared for shipment in pieces except for the 22 metres (72 ft) blades which remained in one piece.[6] The stone base was demolished, and a new base was constructed in Aruba for the restaurant.[2]

In March 1961, the first stone was placed by Lieutenant Governor E.J.C. Beaujon.[4] The rebuilding was supervised by Jan Medendorp, a Dutch windmill builder, who had been responsible for disassembling the windmill.[2] To prevent damage by the strong trade winds on Aruba, the sails were fixed into place.[1] In March 1962, construction was complete and the restaurant and mill museum opened.[7]

In 1973, De Olde Molen was sold to Joseph Patterson who restored the windmill, and decorated the restaurant with furniture and paintings dating between 880 and 1800.[8] Medendorp returned to Aruba in 2001, and was disappointed, because the sails had been attached the wrong way, because the wheel should turn anticlockwise.[2][1]

  • De Olde Molen with correct sails (1964)
    De Olde Molen with correct sails (1964)
  • Sunset on Palm Beach
    Sunset on Palm Beach
  • The sails (2013)
    The sails (2013)

References
  1. "De Oude Molen". Beautiful Aruba (in Dutch). Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  2. Marius Bremmer (15 August 2001). "Molenbouwer Jan Medendorp bracht veertig jaar geleden een Hollandse molen naar Aruba". Terdege via Digibron.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  3. "De Olde Molen/ Molen van Snelter/ Molen van Jonker". Molen Database (in Dutch). Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  4. "Groningse molen wordt neergezet op Aruba". Gereformeerd gezinsblad (in Dutch). 13 March 1961. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  5. "Historia di "De Olde Molen" na Palm Beach". Arubiano (in Papiamento). Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  6. "Groningse korenmolen maakt reis naar Aruba". Amigoe di Curacao (in Dutch). 28 January 1961. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  7. "Tourism". Historia di Aruba. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  8. "Oranjestad". Amigoe di Curacao (in Dutch). 30 January 1973. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
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