De Woudaap

Could a bird inspire a name? Here at De Woudaap, the answer is a resounding yes. De Woudaap, a polder mill in Krommenie, Netherlands, stands as a testament to both human ingenuity and the natural world it inhabits. De Woudaap, which translates to “wood sandpiper” or “wood bittern,” takes its name from a small, shy heron known for its ape-like climbing through reeds and its distinctive “wouw-wouw-wouw” call. Built around 1651, De Woudaap was essential to draining the Krommenieër Woudpolder, originally a marshy woodland. The mill’s name likely arose from the abundance of these birds in the area. The bittern, once common, has become a rare sight, highlighting the changes in the landscape over time. De Woudaap, an octagonal smock mill, originally used a scoop wheel, later replaced with a wooden Archimedes’ screw in 1864. This, too, proved less durable than desired, leading to the installation of an iron screw in 1916. The mill worked in conjunction with a steam engine, De Rapide, from 1877 onwards, then later with an electric motor installed in 1954. Despite these modernizations, De Woudaap remains a symbol of traditional Dutch engineering. The mill played a central role in the annual dike inspection, hosting the polder board in a special room for meetings and a meal of stewed eel. The last miller, Henk Borst, remained dedicated to De Woudaap until his death in 2002. Now, though no longer actively draining the polder, the restored De Woudaap stands as a picturesque landmark. The mill’s presence whispers tales of a time when the cries of the woudaap bird filled the air, reminding us of the delicate balance between nature and human endeavor.