Imagine standing before a windmill named Lisserpoelmolen. It is not just any mill. This one whispers tales of survival against wind and water since 1676.
The Lisserpoelmolen stands proudly east of Sassenheim. It is a vital part of the Lisserpoelpolder. This polder spans about 235 hectares. The mill works hard to keep the land dry. It lifts water 3.40 meters high.
Back in 1675, disaster struck. The Spaarndammerdijk broke during a storm. The Lisserpoelpolder flooded. The existing mills struggled to cope. So a decision was made. A new more powerful mill was needed. That is how the Lisserpoelmolen came to be.
Unusually, the Lisserpoelmolen was fitted with a vijzel or Archimedes’ screw from the start. Most mills then used a scheprad or scoop wheel. This makes the Lisserpoelmolen the oldest poldermolen with an original vijzel.
The Lisserpoelmolen faced many challenges over the years. It suffered heavy damage multiple times. In 1868, it received a new cast-iron axle from De Prins van Oranje foundry. But trouble did not end there.
In 1907, disaster struck again. A sudden wind gust broke the axle. The Leidsch Dagblad reported the damage. Three wings were blown off while the mill was working. Luckily, no one was hurt. A new axle was quickly provided. The Grofsmederij in Leiden made it. A spare Potroede blade was already on site.
More misfortune followed in 1916. Another windstorm broke the upper axle. A replacement was found via Thobé, a breaker from Dordrecht. One of the blades was repaired and lasted until 1994.
During those times, a locomobile with a centrifugal pump took over. It ensured the polder remained drained. The Lisserpoelmolen was repaired. But a gas engine was added. This would power the vijzel when there was little wind.
Despite the setbacks, the community supported the Lisserpoelmolen. It was clear that repairing the mill was faster than building a new pumping station.
Since 1986, the Rijnlandse Molenstichting owns the mill. Before that, it was owned by the De Oude Veenen Water Board.
Interesting fact. In the 1980s, an auto tire jammed the vijzel. The koningspil broke.
Today, the Lisserpoelmolen stands as a testament to Dutch ingenuity. It shows the ongoing battle against water. The mill is a national monument. You can visit when it is turning.