Geersensmolen

Geersensmolen is a wooden post mill standing on Dorpsstraat in Klemskerke, a village within the municipality of De Haan on Belgium's North Sea coast. For generations it ground grain for the local community, and today it stands as one of the few fully working historic mills of its kind in the region.

Where does the name come from and how old is the mill?

The first record of a windmill on this exact spot dates back to 1571, though that original structure almost certainly did not survive the Siege of Ostend at the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries. The mill standing today was built in 1693 and has occupied the same location ever since, even as it went through repairs and rebuilding over the centuries. Locals once called it the Zuidmolen, or "South Mill," to distinguish it from the Noordmolen, or "North Mill," which stood in the nearby village of Vosseslag to the north. Older sources also refer to it under the names Dorpsmolen ("village mill") and Lievensmolen.

How did its role change over the centuries?

For most of its working life, the Geersensmolen operated as a grain mill powered purely by wind. In 1914 a motor was installed in an outbuilding to assist on windless days, but the mill itself kept running on wind power all the way until the late 1960s — a notably long working life compared with many similar mills in the region that fell silent much earlier.

What makes the Geersensmolen stand out among Belgian windmills?

In 1943 the mill was granted protected monument status, sparing it from demolition during a period when many rural windmills disappeared from the Flemish countryside. A major restoration followed in 1960, during which a welded sail cross was fitted to the mill — the first installation of its kind in Belgium, giving the Geersensmolen a place in the history of Belgian milling technology beyond its local significance.

How did the mill pass into public hands, and what is its status today?

The mill remained privately owned until 1993, when the municipality of De Haan purchased it and took over responsibility for its upkeep. In 2004 the decision was made to restore it to full working order, a project that required relocating the structure — a substantial undertaking in heritage conservation. The work succeeded, and in 2014 the Geersensmolen was brought back into use, milling grain once again as both a living monument and a local attraction.

Frequently asked questions

Can visitors see the Geersensmolen up close? The mill is owned by the municipality of De Haan and functions as a heritage site, open to visits as part of the local tourism and educational offering, including guided visits for school groups.

Is the windmill still operational? Yes — following the restoration completed in 2014, the Geersensmolen regained full working order and, under the right wind conditions, can still grind grain just as it has done since 1693.

Where does the name Geersensmolen come from? The name follows local naming traditions for mills in the area; historically the mill was also known as the Zuidmolen, Dorpsmolen and Lievensmolen, names that reflect its position relative to other mills nearby, in particular the Noordmolen in neighboring Vosseslag.