Watermolen De Oliemolen

The Eerbeek Oil Mill is a national monument. The Van Zadelhoff family owns and has made the mill operational again since 2007. It is the only working overhead watermill in the Netherlands. As of 2018, the miller's craft has been declared an intangible heritage by UNESCO. Come and watch demonstrations! Two centuries ago, a flour mill stood on the site of the Eerbeekse brook. Van Zadelhoff talks passionately about the history: "The farmers from the area could have their corn ground there. The mill was running thanks to the water of the brook. In 1825 a second mill was built, an oil mill. oil beaten from beechnuts, which the residents use to fry pancakes and oliebollen. The method is prohibited if it appears that a toxic substance is released during the process. Today oil is beaten from linseed. This oil can be used for the maintenance of wooden garden furniture. "The Huis te Eerbeek estate, which also includes the mills, was bought in 1895 by Professor MWC Weber. The family has no heirs and donates it to the Geldersch Landscape Foundation in 1942. In 1950 the mills pass into the hands of the father of the current owner. The corn mill disappears around 1970 and the current catering building arises on that spot. In 2007 the oil mill will undergo a thorough renovation. "Donations are received from various sides to cover the costs. On November 16 of that year, the restored mill will be back in use, 90 years after the last milling," concludes Van Zadelhoff. Demonstrations De Oliemolen: April to October, every Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.