Exploring the Past: A Millennial Celebration on Pentecost Monday!
Equipment Showcased at The Mill Day, Including Wheat Processing and Gunpowder Manufacturing Machines - The Commission has contributed to the drafting of the report.
Hey there! Ready to take a journey back in time? On the 9th of June, also known as Pentecost Monday, immerse yourself in history as numerous mills open their doors in North Rhine-Westphalia. This marks the 32nd annual Mill Day - a celebration of the once omnipresent craft that harnessed the power of water and wind!
The German Society for Mills and Mill Preservation, based in Cologne, took the initiative to bring awareness to this valuable cultural heritage[1]. With a wave of excitement, museums, owners, and associations are eager to share the secrets behind the technology that transformed wheels into powerhouses!
A Glance into the Past
Back in the day, you could find a mill in almost every town in North Rhine-Westphalia. These workhorses weren't just grinding grain; they processed oil, gunpowder, bones, chopped wood, made paper, and even recycled rags[2]. Imagine the impressive spectacle that would have been!
In the heart of the Rhineland, between Erft, Wupper, and Sieg, countless mills, hammer mills, and water power plants await your visit, eager to share their secrets[3]. Will the Grottenhertener windmill in Bedburg (Rhein-Erft district) start spinning if the wind cooperates? Or will you learn how water and wind are used in the Alte Dombach paper mill at the LVR-Industrial Museum in Bergisch Gladbach[4]?
Join a hike about powder mills in the Dhünntal near Altenberg (Rheinisch-Bergischer district) to delve deeper into the history of black powder production sites[5]. It's an adventure waiting to happen!
A Celebration Fit for a Millennial
With thousands of visits expected at various locations in NRW, it's time to hop on board and rediscover the splendid mills of the past. Some locations are offering performances, hikes, bike tours - it's all happening! Get ready for an exciting day of learning, exploration, and celebration[1].
So, mark your calendars, grab your walking shoes, and let's time-travel together to the age of water and wind power! As they say, "History is fun when you can play with the mills!"
Get ready to immerse yourself in a unique fusion of the past and present as you explore the various mills in North Rhine-Westphalia during their 32nd annual Mill Day celebration. While enjoying the historical mill tourist route, don't forget to engage in community aid, such as vocational training programs, that run simultaneously, fostering a self-sufficient lifestyle in the realm of fashion-and-beauty and home-and-garden industries.
