Moulin dit des Olieux

English translation

The text above is the record as published by the Ministère de la Culture, in French. The English below is a machine translation made by TreeAlive, not by the Ministère de la Culture; it has not been checked by a person. Where the two differ, the original is the record. Report a translation error: privacy@treealive.com

History

The oldest locality of which there is trace for the mill known as the mill des olieux is Audruicq, in the Pas-de-Calais. It is an oil press built in the middle of the 18th century. But it was probably brought to Audruicq from a commune in Flanders. Apart from the fact that this type of press was more widespread there, the mill bears the signature of a master mill-carpenter from Arnèke, Ingelbertus Martinus de Smyttère. According to an inscription on the main gear, the mill des olieux dates from 1743 (the date of the main gear, the key component, is generally that of the mill's construction). It is a pivot mill, which produced oil by means of pestles. Its form is characteristic of an oil press, with a narrow body, and stronger beams to reinforce the first floor. Oil production was long one of the sources of wealth of northern France, long before coal. The fertile soil of the region indeed allows the cultivation of several oil-bearing plants, whose use is not limited to food (lighting, medicine, etc.). Its activity as an oil press ceases at the Revolution. In the early 19th century the mechanism is modified to make it a flour mill. Oil presses are indeed hard pressed from 1814 onwards by the use of the steam engine, which has far superior efficiency and the advantage of not depending on climatic uncertainties. Most disappear before the Great War. The mill ceases activity at the end of the 19th century. In 1901-1902, it is dismantled and reassembled in Offekerque by its new owner, the miller Alphonse Gourdin. The mill produces flour by means of two millstones. In 1928 and 1931 it receives a visit from Herman Armour Webster, American painter artist passionate about mills, who describes the mill, photographs it and gathers information on its history. During the Second World War, the mill serves as an observation post for the Germans. It remains in operation until 1948, the date when it loses two of its sails. Left subsequently to decay, it gradually falls into ruin. Around 1954, the remaining sails are dismantled and reassembled on the Lianne mill, also located in Offekerque. Around 1960 the main post (entrebut) follows the same path. It is saved in the nick of time by the ARAM (Association régionale des amis des moulins), which purchases it in 1974. This association devoted to the knowledge and rescue of mills has as its vocation on the one hand enhancement, and on the other restoration. Determined to set an example in matters of preservation, the association reassembles it in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, on the principle of an open-air museum allowing one to understand the rich history of milling in the region, under Flemish influence. It is carefully restored over 7 years, between 1977 and 1983. As no oil press survives in the region, the decision is made to restore to it on this occasion its original function, that of an oil mill. A maximum of original pieces are preserved and the plans of the mechanism are studied from ancient examples and plans provided by the Dutch specialist De Kramer and inspired by an example from Bruges. To the educational and historical value is added also technical interest with an implementation using traditional techniques, faithful to historical reality.