Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands will reopen The Zuidmolen in Groesbeek on Friday afternoon, September 12. The former grain mill has been restored and put back into use over the past few years. The Princess will then view the photo wall about the history of The Zuidmolen and speak with volunteers and stakeholders. Princess Beatrix is the patroness of the Association of Dutch Mills.
The Zuidmolen was built in 1857 as a grain mill and has been used for decades by the miller family Jochijms since 1894. During World War II, the mill served as a lookout for Canadian and British allies to observe German troop movements due to its vantage point. After restorations in the 1980s, the mill was fitted with four Ten Have shutters, which are wooden panels placed on the sails to catch the wind. The Zuidmolen is the only mill in the Netherlands with this system. The Zuidmolen Foundation takes care of the maintenance and operates entirely with volunteers.
RVD, no. 212