Wheat mill Windlust - Westmaas

The wheat mill Windlust in Westmaas has a rich and special history. Although the beard showed 1864 for many years, research during the 2008/2009 restoration showed that the mill was actually built in 1853. The confusion arose when Dirkje van der Jagt, one of the first female millers in the Hoeksche Waard, decided to continue the miller's business herself after the death of her husband in 1863. To mark her new beginning, she had the year on the beard painted over to 1864. In 1868, she sold the mill to the Van der Sluis family of millers, who kept it running until 1939. Thereafter, Windlust passed into the hands of the Leeuwenburgh family until the municipality of Westmaas took over the mill in 1961.

After the municipal redivision in 1984, the mill came into the possession of Binnenmaas and later the Stichting Molens Hoeksche Waard. In 2008/2009, the mill was thoroughly restored and made millable again. Wheat is milled regularly and flour products are on sale. However, Windlust did not remain free of problems; in 2022, construction faults were found in the welding of the sails. The mill was shut down, and the sails had to be replaced after only 14 years.

Thanks to contributions from funds, grants and the efforts of 400 Friends of Windlust and other villagers, the restoration was completed in 2023. On King's Day that year, the mill was once again turning and grinding in all its glory. The official reopening took place in June 2023. Today, Windlust symbolises the resilience and community spirit of Westmaas and remains a beautiful place to visit and experience the miller's tradition.