Experience the water story during Open Monument Day
On Saturday, September 13 and Sunday, September 14, 2025, we will open the doors of various heritage sites throughout the service area. A total of thirteen of the Water Board's mills and pumping stations will be open. Most are still in use. Water Board member Klazien Hartog said, "Visitors during this weekend will have the opportunity to take a look at the rich history of our water works." A great opportunity to discover how water management has been regulated here for centuries. Entrance is free.
Alkmaar region
In the Alkmaar region, visitors can visit the Geestmolen (Saturday), mill De Viaan in Alkmaar (Sunday) and the Veenhuizermolen in Heerhugowaard (Saturday). Also open in Schermerhorn are the Museumgemaal Wilhelmina (Sunday) and the Noorderpolderhuis (Sunday). Finally, the Defense Pumping Station in Egmond aan den Hoef (Sunday) and the Noordermolen in Akersloot (Saturday and Sunday) will open.
The machinists of the Defense Pumping Station in Egmond aan den Hoef open the doors on Sunday. This special pumping station was built in 1939 and is hidden in the dike of the Bergermeerpolder. It was built at the time to keep the military Vliegveld Bergen dry, which was built in the same polder. Thus the pumping station had not only a hydraulic but also a strategic function.
The Defense Pumping Station is a rare example of water management with a military purpose, which makes it extra special. During Open Monument Day you can see it from the inside, talk to the engineers and learn more about the technology and history of this hidden gem. Definitely worth a visit!
Zaanstreek-Waterland
In Zaanstreek-Waterland, visitors can visit the Katwoudermolen in Katwoude (Sunday) and Gemaal 't Leven in Zaandijk (Saturday), among others.
The machinists of pumping station 't Leven in Zaandijk will open the doors on Saturday, Sept. 13. This characteristic pumping station was built in 1904 on the site of an earlier polder mill of the same name. The pumping station is located on the Zaan and played an important role in the drainage of the Westzaan polder.
The building is a fine example of early 20th-century hydraulic engineering and industrial heritage. In 1916, the pumping station was converted to an electric power plant and many of the original components are still in place. Consider the authentic vacuum pump, the old electric motors and the original interior tilework.
North Head
In the Noordkop, visitors can visit the Groenveld mill in Groenveld (Sunday), the Greb mill in Warmenhuizen (Saturday and Sunday) and mill LQ in Burgerbrug (Saturday).
The Grebmolen is a characteristic polder mill built in 1876, after its predecessor was burned down by lightning during the night of March 14-15, 1876. The Grebmolen was built to drain the Grebpolder, a lower part of the Geestmerambacht polder. Until 1925 the polder was drained exclusively by wind power. After that, the mill received help from a pumping station with a gasoline engine. Today, the mill works voluntarily together with an electric pumping station to keep the 162-hectare area dry.
Westfriesland
In West Friesland, visitors can visit pumping station Beetskoog in Oudendijk (Sunday) and a newly restored lock in Wognum (Saturday and Sunday).
Pumping Station Beetskoog was built in 1877 and replaced two windmills that had kept the Beetskoog polder dry for centuries. The pumping station pumped the water from the polder to the Schermerboezem and thus played an important role in regional water management.
The building is a fine example of 19th-century hydraulic engineering and industrial heritage. Originally operating on steam, the pumping station was converted to a diesel pumping station in 1910. Many of these original parts still work today. In 1954, pumping was taken over by an electric pumping station a little further away, but the old pumping station remained in use as a reserve until 1967, leaving it completely intact. In 2020, a new electric pumping station was built right next to the old Beetskoog pumping station.
Everyone welcome
Open Monument Day is the chance to see the past come alive. Whether you are a history buff or just looking for a fun and educational outing, everyone is welcome and admission is free. Stop by and discover the stories behind our water works. Mills are usually open from 11:00-16:00. Please note that toilet visits are not possible at the objects.