Nederland - Nunhem, Leumolen

October 2023 marked the 250th anniversary of the “Leumolen” (Leu Mill); counting from the time of its rebuilding in 1773. The mill is also known as St. Ursula's Mill.

There had been a mill at this location on the Leubeek for much longer. In 1461, a will first mentioned the “Leumolen” under the name “Molen aan de Leu”. It is possible that the mill had existed even much longer, with a charter mentioning a mill in Nunhem as early as the 13th century. The water mill from 1461 no longer exists; the loam mill was rebuilt in brick in the period 1771-1775. An oil mill was added to the existing grain mill. The mill house was completed in 1773, and the oil mill in 1775.

A major change to the mill took place in 1911 when the water wheel was replaced by a turbine. In 1956, “Staatsbosbeheer” - a Dutch government organisation for forestry and management of nature reserves - bought the water mill. During a restoration in 1960-1961, the water wheel returned.

After this restoration, only the grain mill was still in operation, but in 2008 the oil mill was also restored. The “Leumolen” is one of six water-powered oil mills in the Netherlands and the only one to house a flour mill and an oil mill under one roof.