De Zwaan Windmill
The De Zwaan Windmill is the last Authentic Dutch windmill that was allowed to be exported from the Netherlands. The De Zwaan has eighty ft long blades.
The De Zwaan last served as a grain mill in the rural village of Vinkel, North Brabant. It was once believed that the De Zwaan was built in 1761. Historians now believe the De Zwaan was assembled from components of other mills that had been modified to steam in the 1880's.
It had fallen into disrepair and had been damaged during WWII. The owner could not afford repairs and after failing to obtain funding for repair it was allowed to be exported rather than rot away.
In June of 1964 the windmill was purchased for the sum of 8000 guilders. It was carefully disassembled and shipped to Muskegon on the Prins Willem Van Oranje. After arriving October 5, 1964 it was trucked to Holland. Windmill Island was created along with dikes, canals, and replica draw bridge. The base of the windmill was fabricated in the US with bricks made to replicate those used in Vinkel.
When the mill arrived in Holland it was inspected in detail, refurbished and then carefully rebuilt. December 1 1964 the first structural beams were placed on the brick platform that had been built. Reassembly and restoration was completed and on April 10, 1965.
In the fall of 2013 the De Zwaan underwent significant maintenance that included removal and reconstruction of the "cap" and blades. A portion of one of the original blades has been preserved along with the original mill stones and is on display near the mill.
Windmill Island Gardens is home to the DeZwaan. This is a tourist attraction. Depending on when you try to visit there may be a parking and or entrance fee. Check the City of Holland website for details regarding hours and fees.
You can check out the live Webcam here.
A great resourse to learn about the history of the De Zwaan is the book De Zwaan The true story of Americas Authentic Dutch Windmill by Alisa Crawford
Logging Requirements
To claim credit for this virtual cache you must complete both of the following logging requirements:
Requirement #1: Message the cache owner the answers to the following question (do not post the answers in your log text or attach photos of the answers with your log):
1. Observe the section of original blade at the base of the mill. How many square mounting holes for the "sails" are in this section of blade? Requirement #2: Post a qualifying photo (outlined below) with your "found it" log:
2. A selfie of yourself at GZ with the De Zwaan in the background or a photo of a piece of paper containing your caching ID and the date of your visit with the De Zwaan in the photo.
Failure to provide the answer to the question and a qualifying photo will result in log deletion. A photo of the De Zwaan is not proof of your visit. Group photos are fine, just let me know who is in the photo. Following the Geocaching guidelines, you must visit this location on or after the date of publication. Armchair logs will be deleted without notice. Photos with spoilers may be deleted without notice as well.
Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024-2025
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.