A Wonderful Addition
Kinderdijk UNESCO World Heritage will soon receive a unique copy of the Groot Algemeen Moolenboek. This historic work, published in 1761, tells the story of Dutch windmills through words and images and will be given a prominent place in a permanent collection.
This remarkable reference book, filled with detailed drawings and explanations of various windmill types, will become part of the permanent exhibition at Museummolen Overwaard.
The Moolenboek was donated to the Stichting Werelderfgoed Kinderdijk by a private owner to make it accessible to a broad audience. This particular copy is especially notable for its additional maps and windmill drawings, added by the original publisher. For those who wish to explore the book up close or browse its pages, a digital version will also be made available.
According to director Peter-Jan van Steenbergen, the donation is a valuable addition: “The Netherlands and windmills are inextricably linked. At Kinderdijk, we teach our visitors about the special role windmills have played in shaping our country and society. This book enriches our museum collection.”
The official presentation of the Groot Algemeen Moolenboek is scheduled for spring 2025. From that moment, the book will be temporarily displayed at the Visitor Center before finding a permanent home in the exhibition at the Overwaard Museum Mill.
