Museum De Wachter

About the museum

Egbert van Bon had the De Wachter windmill built on the Zuidlaarder Vaart in 1851, paid for with the dowry of his wife, Anna Bazuin; the Van Bon milling family had previously run a mill in neighboring Midlaren. The octagonal, thatched gallery mill was used for grinding buckwheat and pressing oil.

In 1895, the Medendorp family of Zuidlaren took over the mill and mechanized the oil press and spice mill to hold their own against emerging industrial competition: in 1898 two steam installations were added, one of which generated electricity – decades before Zuidlaren was connected to the grid in 1921. Even so, the oil press and spice mill were shut down in the 1920s and the steam engines were removed; in 1950 miller Medendorp also stopped the grain mill, and De Wachter fell into disrepair.

Today the Stichting De Wachter runs the mill, restored in 1968, as a museum of "working" industrial heritage. An extension built in the style of around 1900 houses a traditional bakery with a bakery shop, a millwright's workshop, and the colonial goods store "De vier geslachten" from Noordlaren. A second extension, the "Werkplaats Dieks Dele," was added in 2006 with a wheelwright's shop, a clog maker's workshop, a smithy, and the steam engine from a dairy in Wommels; since 2010 the upper floor has displayed everyday objects from farm, craft, and household life as well as mechanical musical instruments.

Around 190 volunteers run the museum without any paid staff. The aim is to demonstrate the mill, steam engines, and workshops in operation; products made in the mill are sold in the museum shop.

Highlights

• Mill from 1851 combining grain, oil, and spice mills, accessible all the way up to the gallery
• According to the museum, the second-largest steam engine collection in the Netherlands, under steam on Saturdays
• Oil press where linseed oil is extracted from flaxseed
• Bakery with historic stone oven and bakery shop
• Paddle steamer "De Jonge Wachter" for trips to the Zuidlaardermeer
• Mechanical musical instruments such as an orchestrion and a pianola

Permanent exhibitions

• Werkplaats Dieks Dele – Extension with a wheelwright's shop, clog maker's workshop, and smithy from the region, a dairy steam engine, and, on the upper floor, everyday objects and mechanical musical instruments.
• Molen De Wachter – Walk-through mill with grain milling machinery, oil press, and spice mill, plus a shop interior from grandmother's day and a millwright's workshop.

Operated by

Stichting De Wachter

Admission & discounts

Free with the Drentse Museumpas and for supporters; no surcharges for events. Tickets only at the ticket desk (entrance at the mill). Validity of the Museumkaart is not mentioned.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• 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

No accessibility information is provided. Pets are not allowed in the museum.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

New is a small steam railway that children can ride on. The season closes with the "Oktobermaand Kindermaand" event day (October 10, 2026). For school classes, a scavenger hunt through the collection in the Barkhof loft.

Getting there & parking

GPS address: Bolwerk 11, Zuidlaren. Easy to reach by bike and on foot via the junction network (knooppunten); boats can moor in the harbor in front of the mill (no dedicated jetty).

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The mill bakery serves freshly brewed coffee, lemonade, and baked goods from its own stone oven; the shop sells flour, linseed oil, spices, and soap made on site.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

According to the website, halls and rooms can be rented; details on request via info@dewachter.nl.

Plan your visit