Windmühle Anna

About the museum

The Windmühle Anna stands in the Norby district of Rieseby, on the Moritzenberg. Its history begins in 1786 in Westerhever on the Eiderstedt peninsula, where it was built as an Erdholländer (earth Dutch-type mill) on a Warft (raised mound). After the earlier mill in Norby burned down in May 1910, the Anna, which had since been dismantled, was moved to Rieseby and set on a three-story base with a gallery, directly connected to the miller's house. The Mordhorst miller family operated it until after the war. In 1978 it was sold, converted and then fell into disrepair, until 1991, when the mill and sawmill came into the ownership of the municipality.

The path to the museum began in 1976 with the Arbeitskreis Riesebyer Heimatgeschichte (working group on Rieseby local history), from which the Verein für Museums- und Chronikarbeit (association for museum and chronicle work) emerged in 1997. After the municipality bought the mill in 1994, it was thoroughly restored and given, among other things, a new copper roof; in 1997 the museum was set up and first presented to the public. The sails have been fixed facing east since then, and grinding is not planned.

Besides the mill, the museum includes the Alte Sägerei (old sawmill) built in 1890, with shoemaker's, wheelwright's and blacksmith's workshops, a horse-gin shed (Göpelschuppen), a bread oven, a beehouse and an orchard. The collection is strongly regional and ranges from Stone Age finds through craft tools to everyday objects from around 1850 to 1960.

Highlights

• Listed windmill from 1786, originally standing in Westerhever
• Regional collection from Stone Age finds to everyday life around 1850–1960
• Old sawmill with shoemaker's, wheelwright's and blacksmith's workshops
• Outdoor grounds with horse-gin shed, bread oven and beehouse, open year-round
• Museum bingo for young visitors

Permanent exhibitions

• Regionale Sammlung – Finds from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages, tools of traditional trades and everyday objects from 1850 to 1960.
• Mühle Anna – The windmill tells of its journey from Westerhever to Rieseby and of the work of the millers.
• Alte Sägerei – Over two floors, collections show textiles, household items and crafts, plus a shoemaker's workshop, wheelwright's shop and forge.

Founded

1997

Operated by

Verein für Museums- und Chronikarbeit in Rieseby e. V.

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

No admission fee; donation boxes are available in the mill and in the old sawmill.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Most exhibition rooms in the historic buildings are not barrier-free; the outdoor grounds are freely accessible year-round.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

There is a museum bingo for young visitors and their companions; please ask the museum team.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 25 guests.

A wedding room in the mill, furnished with antiques, for up to 25 guests, rent €200. Arrangements are handled by the registry office of the Amt Schlei-Ostsee.

Plan your visit