Wind whispers tales around the Boterhuismolen. This poldermolen in Warmond stands as a testament to Dutch ingenuity. It has battled the elements for centuries.
The Boterhuismolen, or Butter House Mill, derives its name from its location. An earlier structure called “het Butterhuys” once stood here. It literally means Butter House.
In 1634 eleven small polders merged into one. A single, new windmill replaced the eleven smaller mills. This new mill was erected where the Butterhuys once stood.
But this mill was not the Boterhuismolen that you see today. In 1744 a stone mill replaced the older wipmolen. Jan Opdam from Sassenheim constructed the new mill. The cost was 4762 guilders. The old mill was sold for demolition.
The Boterhuismolen features a round stone body. It is partly plastered and whitewashed. Its cap is thatched. The mill is a grondzeiler, meaning its sails reach almost to the ground. This design allows the miller to manage the sails easily from the ground.
Look closely at the simple dark green beard. Note the year ‘1744’ painted in large white numbers. Above that is the word “BOOTERHUIS” on the windpeluw. This wasn’t always there. It disappeared around 2000. But after the windpeluw was replaced in 2021, it reappeared.
Inside the Boterhuismolen sits an iron scoop wheel measuring 5.90 meters in diameter. It is 0.45 meters wide. This wheel lifts water to drain the Boterhuispolder. The polder spans approximately 305 hectares. The pumping height reaches 1.45 meters.
In 1865 the Boterhuismolen received a cast-iron upper axle. In 1873 and 1874, iron rods replaced the wooden ones.
By 1958 the community decided to install an electric pumping station. It was located on the grounds of the “Zeldenrust” farm. The new station began operating in 1960.
A few years later, the Rijnlandse Molenstichting purchased the Boterhuismolen. The foundation has restored the mill several times. These restorations occurred in 1963-64, 1970, and 1996. Extensive work was undertaken in the early 2000s. This was to address foundation issues caused by the lowered polder level. The stone body also underwent repairs in 2002.
The Boterhuismolen had a small living space. A separate miller’s house was built next to the mill in 1929.
Today, a volunteer miller operates the Boterhuismolen. It serves as an auxiliary pumping station during extreme water conditions. Or when the main pumping station fails. The Boterhuismolen stands ready.
Before you leave consider the Boterhuismolen’s enduring legacy. It’s a symbol of water management. It embodies the spirit of innovation. This is the Dutch way. It stands proudly. It represents the battle against the water.