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Nederland - Barger-Compascuum, De Berk

Windmill De Berk (The Berch) originally came from Drantum in Germany. The windmill was built in 1870 as a successor of a windmill that had been built in the middle of the 19th century, but had burnt down. In 1952, this mill was put out of action and fell into disrepair.

Miller Bökkers from the (Dutch) town of Olst bought the mill with the intention of rebuilding it. His plans were not realised and in 1983, De Berk was rebuilt in the Veenpark - an open-air museum in Barger-Compascuum, Drenthe. Here, the windmill operated regularly, grinding grain as well.

De Berk is an octagonal smock mill on a two storey brick base. It has a stage at first floor level (3.2 metres above ground level). The smock and cap are thatched.

The flourmill was doing well until 2009, but then it was obvious that the mill could only be used to a very limited extent, only when the wind came from the right angle. This became less and less and slowly the mill stopped functioning and its overall condition continued to deteriorate.

During my visit, I indeed noticed how ill-maintained De Berk is. To be honest one the worst maintained windmills in the Netherlands that I have ever seen. It is feared that the mill is beyond saving.
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63 comments

Berny said:

Great buildings! HFF!
2 years ago

Madeleine Defawes said:

Superbes images !
HFF et Bon weekend. Amitiés
2 years ago ( translate )

David G Johnson said:

Gotcha'.. on the information thanks Jaap'.... all good to learn.. there must be a lot of upkeep needed for the thatched 'smock sections' and it's a shame to run into decay.. // Nevertheless - have a good weekend and a ''HFF'' to you - from Dj.
2 years ago

Valeriane ♫ ♫ ♫¨* said:

magnifiques structures**********************et photos**********************
belle fin de semaine mon ami! Amitiés♫
2 years ago ( translate )

Patrick Brandy said:

C'est vraiment dommage de laissez ce moulin à l'abandon bonne journée
2 years ago ( translate )

Frode said:

HFF and have a nice weekend.
2 years ago ( translate )

Nouchetdu38 said:

Nice typical view!!!!!!!!
Best wishes*****
2 years ago ( translate )

Roger (Grisly) said:

Nice images but sad news on it's condition Jaap,
Thanks for the information.
HFF and a lovely weekend.
2 years ago

Schussentäler said:

ein wunderschönes Anwesen mit dieser Windmühle - HFF und ein schönes und sonniges Wochenende wünsche ich Dir
2 years ago ( translate )

neira-Dan said:

HFF Jaap !!
2 years ago ( translate )

Wilfried said:

die ist wenigstens noch komplett, nicht so in wie in Griechenland
2 years ago ( translate )

Marije Aguillo said:

Bella imagen. HFF and have a great weekend.
2 years ago ( translate )

J.Garcia said:

Splendid photo and details, Jaap
Thanks for very interesting note!
HFF and nice weekend
2 years ago ( translate )

Christa1004 said:

A witness from the past, when the mill wings still turned... HFF Jaap.
2 years ago

Rosalyn Hilborne said:

Such a shame that it's not being maintained well Jaap.
A lovely set and information as always.
HFF and good weekend.
2 years ago