De Eersteling, Gristmill in Hoofddorp, Netherlands.
De Eersteling is a wooden windmill built directly on ground level, standing near Hoofdweg Westzijde in Haarlemmermeer. The interior contains original grinding stones and the gear mechanisms that mill grain into flour.
Built in 1856, this mill served the agricultural community in the newly created Haarlemmermeer polder, which had only recently been drained from lake. The infrastructure it provided was essential as farmers began working this new reclaimed land.
Today the mill is maintained by a community of volunteers who keep the craft of grain milling alive and operate the machinery regularly. This hands-on tradition draws people who want to understand how work happened before modern industry arrived.
The location is best reached by car or bicycle, as it sits in a rural area on the outskirts of Hoofddorp. The ground around the mill is flat and easy to walk, though entering the mill itself requires climbing stairs.
This mill belongs to a specific Dutch category called a grondzeiler, built directly on the ground without a traditional foundation. This straightforward design made it easier for operators to handle the sails and perform repairs compared to other mill types.
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