Mevrouwmolen, Kanegem

Mevrouwmolen is a historic windmill standing on Mevrouwmolenstraat in Kanegem, a village belonging to the municipality of Tielt in West Flanders. This round, stone-built stellingmolen (a tower mill with an external stage) has ground grain for centuries and remains one of the region's few fully operational industrial heritage sites.

Where does the name Mevrouwmolen come from?

The story begins in the mid-17th century, when a standerdmolen (post mill) stood on this spot, owned by the lord of the seigniory of Hames — one of two historic seigniories in Kanegem, alongside Beexchen. After the lord's death, his widow took over management of the estate for a time, and it is from her — "mevrouw," meaning "lady" — that the mill took the name it still carries today. It is sometimes also referred to as Vrouwenmolen.

How did the mill's structure change over time?

The original post mill did not survive unchanged. A new standerdmolen was built on the site in 1736. A century later, in 1836, the wooden structure was mounted on a stone tower base, which made it possible to expand operations to include oil pressing alongside grain milling. The turning point came in 1843, when fire destroyed the wooden mill entirely. In its place, a stone tower mill was constructed — the same structure that still forms the core of the building today.

How did the mill adapt to new technology?

Following its reconstruction, the mill operated as both a grain and oil mill, but in 1894 the oil-pressing operation was discontinued in favor of grain milling alone. Around the same period, a steam engine was added to supplement wind power on calm days. In 1930, that aging steam engine was replaced with an electric motor, allowing production to continue regardless of the weather. Wind ceased to be used as the primary commercial power source in 1954, after which the sails turned only occasionally, more as a demonstration than as an economic activity.

Can visitors see the mill today?

Mevrouwmolen has been a protected monument in Flanders since 1974, a status that spared it from the demolition or neglect that befell many other rural windmills in the region. Following restoration, the mill is once again fully operational — its sails turn every Sunday, giving visitors the chance to watch the mechanism at work up close. It offers a rare opportunity to see a working windmill set against the quiet, rural backdrop of West Flanders, away from the tourist crowds of the region's larger towns.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Mevrouwmolen located? The mill stands at Mevrouwmolenstraat 2 in Kanegem, a village administratively part of the town of Tielt in the province of West Flanders.

Where does the mill's name come from? The name commemorates the widow of a former lord of the seigniory of Hames, who managed the estate for a period after her husband's death — hence "mevrouw," meaning "lady."

Is the mill still operational? Yes, following restoration the sails turn regularly on Sundays, allowing visitors to see the working mechanism.

What type of mill is it? The current structure is a stone-built stellingmolen (tower mill), constructed after an 1843 fire destroyed the earlier wooden post mill that previously stood on the site.