Kulturzentrum Bettinger Mühle

About the museum

The Bettinger Mühle on the Prims river is first mentioned in records in 1246. It was rebuilt in 1706 as a Bannmühle (a mill with compulsory milling rights), the mill race that still exists today was created in 1732, and from 1735 farmers ran the mill as a cooperative. From the early 19th century, the Mennonite families Schertz, Oesch and Nafziger operated the business; in 1908 they acquired the mill as their property. The last miller gave it up in 1978 for reasons of age; the waterwheel ran until 1979.

In 1993 the association for the preservation of the Bettinger Mühle was founded. It began restoration work in July 1994 and has developed the site into a cultural and community center for Schmelz and the region. The ensemble includes the main house, mill building, barn, bakehouse, the servants' house (Gesindehaus) and the Mühleninsel (Mill Island).

The museum concept covers milling technology across two floors, the Mennonite parlor in the former servants' house with objects from the lives of the last miller families, and a gallery for exhibitions and discussion rounds. Around 100 events a year, including the craft market and the open-air event "Insel-Sommer-Traum," make the mill a lively meeting place.

Highlights

• Milling technology on two floors, in operation until 1979
• Mennonite parlor with everyday objects of the last miller families
• Mill Island with open-air concerts and craft market
• Wedding room in the former servants' house

Permanent exhibitions

• Mühlentechnik – On two floors, the grinding mechanism, the separator (Trieur) and display panels show how the mill worked until 1979.
• Mennonitenstube – In the former servants' house, everyday objects, cards and photos recall the Mennonite families of the last generations of millers.

Operated by

Verein zur Erhaltung der Bettinger Mühle e.V.

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 100 guests.

The barn with threshing floor and bistro has seating for 100 people; at wedding celebrations, experience suggests a limit of 70 to 80. Civil wedding ceremonies take place in the wedding room in the servants' house, and in summer also under the linden tree on the Mill Island. Inquiries at the mill office on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings.

Plan your visit