Schäferkämper Wassermühle, Watermill in Bad Westernkotten, Germany
Schäferkämper Wassermühle is a grain mill in Erwitte featuring two overshot water wheels that power the grinding mechanisms. The building integrates production areas with residential quarters into a single working structure.
The mill began operating in 1748 with ecclesiastical permission and ground grain commercially until the 1930s. The North Rhine-Westphalia Foundation later acquired it and has maintained the site since then.
The mill demonstrates how work and home life were intertwined, with preserved living spaces that reflect the daily world of the miller's family. These rooms offer insight into how people lived at their workplace.
The mill can be explored through guided visits where the working mechanisms are demonstrated on site. It is helpful to check ahead for tour times as the operation follows seasonal schedules.
The building was constructed with massive stones creating walls up to 1.70 meters thick, supported by sturdy oak timber frames for the heavy mill components. This solid construction allowed it to withstand the powerful forces from the water wheels for many decades.
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