Details
Fulton’s Dutch heritage is honored
In honor of the rich Dutch heritage found in Fulton, De Immigrant, an authentic working windmill, was prefabricated and manufactured in the Netherlands. Following the delivery to Fulton, the Windmill was assembled and installed by Dutch craftsmen on the flood control dike on the banks of the Mississippi River in the heart of Fulton. Standing nearly 100 ft. tall, the massive timbers are assembled by wooden pegs. Dedication of the new Dutch Windmill took place during the Dutch Days Festival 2000.
After being engineered and pre-fabricated in the Netherlands, the windmill was and shipped to the United States in containers by ship, rail, and truck transportation. Dutch millwrights and masons traveled to the United States on three separate occasions and rebuilt the windmill in Fulton.
The windmill is fully operational. The entire head (or cap) can turn, and the sails move by wind power. The mill is also fully functional with a set of blue basalt millstones that can produce a variety of flours. Stone-ground buckwheat, corn, rye, and wheat flours are all manufactured at “De Immigrant” and are for sale in the gift shop at the Windmill Cultural Center. The stones take up three floors with various types of machinery, and millers can grind approximately 1 bushel of grain every 10 minutes, wind permitting.
Access points to the windmill
Access to the windmill is at the front entrance on 10th Avenue and 1st Street. Stairways lead up into the windmill. Access to the windmill can also be reached by walkways on the top of the dike. The windmill is partially handicap accessible.
Entrance to the windmill is free, but donations are appreciated for maintenance and operations.
Hours
July through September
Mondays: CLOSED
Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: 1 to 5 p.m.
October
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: 1 to 5 p.m.
November through Memorial Day | CLOSED
Except for bus groups who can schedule a tour by calling the Fulton Tourism office – 815-589-3925.
