Brussels Museum van de Molen en de Voeding

Brussels Museum van de Molen en de Voeding is a small themed museum in Evere, one of the municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region, dedicated to the history of milling and food. It occupies the former windmill of Evere, set within a park, and has operated as a museum open to visitors since 2008.

Where did the Evere mill come from?

The mill building dates back to 1841. It began life as a windmill used by local farmers to grind grain — a common function for the outskirts of Brussels in the first half of the 19th century, when Evere was still a largely agricultural settlement on the edge of the city.

How did the building's role change over time?

In 1853 the mill was connected to a steam engine. This meant the sails were no longer needed to power the grinding mechanism and were subsequently dismantled — a change that mirrored the broader industrialization of milling taking place across the region at the time. The building lost its classic windmill silhouette while keeping its core structure intact.

The next major chapter began in 1930, when the building was converted into a spice factory operated by Oscar Tausig, a role it retained for over five decades until 1983. This long industrial period explains why the present-day museum combines two themes — milling and food, including spices — rather than focusing solely on the history of grain grinding.

What can visitors see in the museum today?

Since opening in 2008, the museum has presented a permanent collection covering the history of milling and food, directly reflecting the building's earlier lives as both a mill and a spice factory. The grounds also include a classified spice garden, which further underlines the site's long connection to the food industry once run here by Oscar Tausig.

Alongside the permanent collection, the museum organizes a temporary exhibition on a food-related theme every year. This format means the offering changes from season to season, giving returning visitors something new to see alongside the fixed parts of the collection.

Where exactly is the museum located?

The museum sits in Evere, a municipality of the Brussels-Capital Region, surrounded by a park. This setting — a green area wrapped around a historic mill building — combines natural surroundings with historical and educational value in a single visit.

Frequently asked questions

Is it still a working mill? No. The sails were removed as early as 1853, when the building was connected to steam power, and the milling function was eventually replaced by other industrial and, later, museum uses.

Since when has the museum operated? The museum in its current form has been open since 2008, housed inside the former mill building.

What was Oscar Tausig's factory? It was a spice-production business that operated in this building from 1930 to 1983 — the reason food remains central to the museum's name and focus today.

What else is there besides the permanent exhibition? Every year the museum adds a temporary exhibition tied to a food-related topic, and visitors can also explore a classified spice garden on the grounds.