The Danish Mill Corporation, today (Tuesday) announced that it has received notice the AP Møller and Chastine McKinney Møller Foundation for General Purposes of Copenhagen, Denmark, is donating approximately $75,000 toward rebuilding the 1848 smock mill’s cap frame. Danish Windmill Manager Lisa Steen Riggs said, “For our Windmill to be included in the Foundation’s efforts to preserve wind and water mills as part of the Danish cultural and industrial history is especially meaningful. We are extremely grateful.” The AP Møller Foundation is one of several charitable foundations established by the Danish shipping magnate, AP Møller and his heirs.

Since 1962, more than sixty wind and water mill projects in Denmark, including the test center for wind energy, have benefited from the Møller Foundation’s commitment to restoration and conservation and now there will be one more; only this 1848 Danish Windmill is in Iowa. In 2016, the Mill launched a major restoration project to replace its 67’ long sails, which were installed when the Mill arrived in Elk Horn, as well as the wind shaft, repairing the brake wheel and fan tail that date back to when the Mill was in Denmark. The major overhaul will help to insure its future well-being for many years to come.

As reconstruction began In May 2018, significant deterioration was discovered in the principal structural members of the cap frame that was undetected during the initial assessment. Because they carry the entire weight of the sails, fantail and roof structure, it required removing and rebuilding the cap frame before other work could continue. Riggs said “We received outstanding financial and in-kind support from individuals in the local and Danish-American communities, grants, organizations plus the Mike and Lou Howard Foundation in raising the $150,000 for the initial restoration project, but since some grants require a waiting period (1-2 years) before an applicant is eligible to apply for funds again, the Windmill reached out to the AP Møller Foundation because of their commitment to historic mill preservation in Denmark with the hope that the Foundation would embrace the ex-patriot Windmill and they did.”

To complete the reconstruction prior to the arrival of winter weather because the new 67’ sails and the fan tail were on the ground, work proceeded and in October the millwright and timber carpenters rebuilt the cap frame, installed the new components and restored the windmill so it turns in the wind again. Riggs said “The financial support from the AP Møller Foundation was a much needed and appreciated donation. We still need to raise funds and welcome gifts of any amount.”

The Mill is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Riggs said “We look forward to welcoming visitors, children and families into this historic mill where they will learn about wind energy and green technology, agriculture and of course, our Danish cultural heritage and sense of place.” The Danish Windmill’s attendance in 2018 was 49,786 including individuals, travel parties and group tours from the US and abroad. It has been named “Attraction of the Year” three times by the Iowa Tourism industry and is open daily.