Zeldenrust is a smock mill (Dutch: stellingmolen) located in Dokkum, Friesland, Netherlands. Built in 1862, it is a corn mill and barley mill that has been restored to working order. The mill is listed as a Rijksmonument (national heritage site) under number 13097. Its name translates from Dutch as "Seldom at rest."
Location
The mill is situated at Baantjebolwerk 3, 9101 NH, Dokkum, on the western side of the city on one of Dokkum's historic bastions (bolwerken). Its coordinates are 53°19′28″N 5°59′40″E.
History
Zeldenrust was built in 1862 on the site of the Driepijpstermolen, which burned down in 1861. The mill was constructed by millwright F. van Delden of Oudkerk at a cost of ƒ 9,400 for miller J. M. Bakker. Bakker operated the mill until his death in 1912 at age 81, after which his sons continued the business until 1921.
Subsequent owners included Lukas Jan Graver, Jan Boomgaardt, and Johan van Tilburg (from 1952). Van Tilburg, who gave the mill its name "Zeldenrust," fitted it with more efficient sails to compete with mechanized flour factories. He sold the mill in 1966 to the VVV (tourist office) of Dokkum. The mill was restored by millwright Doornbosch of Adorp, Groningen in 1968–1969. A further restoration was carried out in 1995 by millwright Jellema of Birdaard. Another major restoration took place in 2010–2011, during which the cap was removed and repaired, costing approximately €303,000.
The current owner is Stichting Monumentenbehoud Noardeast-Fryslân (formerly Stichting Monumentenbehoud Dongeradeel).
Description
Zeldenrust is a three-storey smock mill on a four-storey brick base. The stage (platform) is at third-floor level, 8.85 metres above ground level. The smock and cap are thatched. The mill is winded (turned into the wind) by a tailpole and winch system.
The sails have a span of 22.00 metres. The inner sail pair are Common sails with leading edges streamlined on the Fok system. The outer sail pair are Ten Have sails with leading edges fitted with aerofoils on the Fok system. The sails are carried on a cast-iron windshaft cast by Prins van Oranje of The Hague in 1877.
The mill contains four pairs of millstones: two pairs of wheat stones (1.40 m diameter each, French Burr and Cullen stones respectively) and two pairs of barley stones (1.62 m and 1.64 m diameter).
Millers
- J. M. Bakker (1862–1912)
- Bakker (sons, 1912–1921)
- Lukas Jan Graver (1921– )
- Jan Boomgaardt ( –1952)
- Johan H. A. van Tilburg (1952–1966)
Public Access
The mill is operated by volunteer millers and is open to the public free of charge when it is turning, or by appointment. When there is sufficient wind, the mill typically operates on Saturday afternoons between 13:00 and 16:00.
