Ybema`s Molen

In 1899, the Ybema family from Workum built the namesake mill located on the Brouwersdyk in Workum. The purpose of the mill was to drain their own farmland. The mill operated as a polder mill until 1951. After that, it fell into disrepair until 1957, when carpenter F. de Groot from Ferwoude initiated a temporary rescue.

In the early 1960s, Ybema received an offer of 10,000 guilders for the mill. It was to be dismantled, shipped to the United States, and rebuilt there. Ybema declined the offer and donated the mill to the municipality of Workum in 1963. The municipality then commissioned its restoration.

In 1978, the mill was struck by lightning and once again fell into decline.

By 1994, the mill was in such poor condition that the warped sails from 1986 had to be removed. The now 100-year-old national monument was in dire need of a thorough restoration, including both the sails and internal mechanisms. However, funding was lacking at the time.

In May 2001, the mill was transferred to the Molenstichting Nijefurd, now known as the Molenstichting Súdwest-Fryslân. By the end of that year, subsidies from the state, province, and municipality provided sufficient funds for restoration. The company Bouw ’75 carried out the work. During the restoration, the previously removed sails were reinstalled. The restored octagonal mill with its timber-clad body was completed by the end of 2002.

On November 27, 2011, disaster struck again. During the Moledei of Súdwest-Fryslân, the wooden sail stock broke. Due to wood rot behind the wedge block, the over 10-meter-long stock weakened and snapped. In November of the following year, two new wooden stocks were installed and rigged, making the mill ready for the next Moledei. A photo report of the restoration can be found in the image archive.

During an inspection in July 2015, it became clear that the wooden screw would not last forever. Wood rot was detected in several places, causing large holes. Replacement was unavoidable and scheduled for winter 2017/2018.

Photos of Ybema’s Mill can be found via the link to the image archive.

The mill can be visited when it is operating or by appointment. Millers Henk Brandsma and Johan de Jong can be reached at 06-18906187 and 06-51549221 respectively. Location is near the mill!