Nederland - Heemstede, Molentje van Groenendaal

The Molentje van Groenendaal (Little Groenendaal Mill) was built in 1780 by order of John Hope, the Scottish owner of the nearby Groenendaal estate, to provide water for the ponds and other water features on the estate in the summer. It is likely that the ponds often dried up in the summer because the water level dropped. The mill probably did not function as it should, because a short time later, a small steam-powered pumping station was built next to it (the second steam engine in the Netherlands), which took over the grinding work from the mill. In 1836, by order of John Hope's grandson, the steam engine was dismantled, but the windmill was preserved.

Because Het Molentje van Groenendaal then lost its function, it was shut down early on and remained only as an ornamental object. Probably because of this it was often said that the mill was not a real mill, but a "folly", as they were very fashionable at the end of the 18th century.

In 1989 the mill was thoroughly restored and made complete again with a going work. In 2019, Het Molentje van Groenendaal was once again restored. Wth two wooden stages, this small mill is unique in the Netherlands. The Molentje van Groenendaal - also called Groenendaalse Molen - is a national monument since 2004.