German Mill Day — Scheeßel Watermill

Nationwide German Mill Day

The German Mill Day has been organized nationwide by the German Society for Millkunde and Mill Preservation (DGM) every year on Whit Monday since 1994. On this day, hundreds of historic water and windmills open their doors to the public, conveying the technical heritage of milling. The Scheeßel Watermill is one of the participating mills in the district of Rotenburg (Wümme).

Historic Scheeßel Watermill

The Scheeßel Watermill is a technical monument on the Wümme river. The water wheel, grinding mechanism, sieving, and lifting devices are preserved and partly still functional. The Scheeßel Mill Association volunteers maintain the building and its machines and introduce visitors to the history and technology of water milling.

Grinding Demonstrations

The central programme item is the grinding demonstrations. Driven by water power, the mill grinds grain into flour — a spectacle that conveys an understanding of pre-industrial food processing. The millers of the association explain the grinding process and the individual machine parts.

Percussion Ensemble and Vocal Ensemble

Musical accompaniment complements the Mill Day. A percussion ensemble plays rhythmic pieces, and a vocal ensemble offers choral music. The sounds, combined with the mechanical noise of the mill, create an unusual acoustic experience.

Puppet Theatre and Flea Market

For children, there is a puppet theatre with classic and modern plays. The flea market around the mill offers private bric-a-brac, old tools, books, and collectibles. Stall spaces for private sellers cost €5.