Monument care

New wings for the Höxbergmühle

The 4 wings and the mill cap of the Höxbergmühle were dismantled using a large crane. The monumental parts are now being professionally renovated.

10 November 2023 by Sandra Berges
Dismantling work
  • The sashes must be at the bottom for disassembly.

The Heimat Fund of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the mill team and the town of Beckum are giving the Höxbergmühle new wings - and not just literally. The 50 per cent support from the fund and the financial contribution from the mill team and the town of Beckum have made the necessary renovation of the mill cap, the upper rotating head of the mill, and the mill wings attached to it possible.

Group picture
Standing up for the mill: from left to right Cornelia Baumann, René Nitsche, Mayor Michael Gerdhenrich, Holger Osteroth, Hubertus Lütke and Clemens Cappenberg.

In good weather conditions, employees of a specialised company from Minden-Lübbeke dismantled the 4 wings with a large crane today. The restored wing gates and the repaired mill cap are due to return to Beckum in December. The mill team had prepared the Beckum landmark for repair together with young helpers.

Mayor Michael Gerdhenrich was impressed and took the opportunity to express his thanks: "It's great that the mill enthusiasts look after our monument with appreciation and love." The financial contribution from the mill friends is also considerable. The mill team are board members of the Brotherhood of Beckum Builders' Servants and the Beckum Heritage and History Association.

Group picture at the grand piano
The wing that has just been dismantled is 11.5 metres long.

The total costs amount to around 25,000 euros. 50 per cent of this is financed by the Heimat Fund. The remaining costs are borne by the mill team (around 10,000 euros) and the town of Beckum (around 2,500 euros).

The Department of Education, Culture and Leisure of the town of Beckum had applied for the funding. The Building Management Department is involved as the Lower Monument Authority due to the heritage aspects.

Höxbergmühle
The Höxbergmühle, built in 1853, is used for local and cultural history tours as well as educational museum activities for daycare centres and schools. The nearby forest kindergarten has made the mill an integral part of its educational programme. The mill is also a wedding venue for the Beckum registry office with around 60 civil weddings per year. The registered monument is maintained and financially supported by the Beckumer Heimat- und Geschichtsverein and the Bruderschaft der Beckumer Bauknechte. The repairs are an important contribution to the professional and authentic preservation of the mill.

Technical data
The blades are each 11.5 metres long. The mill cap weighs around 14 tonnes, which is equivalent to the weight of a full bus. The technology of the earth follower is fully functional. The upper section with the wings can be rotated using ropes and cogwheels.

This and much more can be found out at the open day, to which the mill friends invite visitors every 3rd Saturday of the month (from April to October) from 3 to 5 pm.