National Windmill Day – May. 8, 2027

Expected National Windmill Day Deals

While direct commercial deals are less common, National Windmill Day inspires educational and experiential opportunities. Look for local historical societies and museums, such as the Dutch Windmill Museum or Old Mill Museum, to host special tours and demonstrations. Renewable energy companies like Ørsted and Vestas may share insights into modern wind power. Consider supporting organizations like the Society for the Preservation of Old Mills (S.P.O.M.) through donations or volunteer efforts. We will update this page with confirmed live events and awareness campaigns as May 9 approaches.

History of National Windmill Day

The earliest windmills date back thousands of years. Most windmills were used to process grain. In countries like Holland, windmills pumped flood water and redirected it for agricultural purposes. It’s believed that without windmills, the Dutch would have lost their towns and cities to floodwaters. Even today there are over 1,000 windmills in Holland, some of which are used to drain flood water and process grain. Early models used wooden parts, but as technology progressed windmills were constructed using stronger materials like metal. The first windmills in Europe were known as ‘post mills.’ These simple wooden structures were built on stilts above the ground. They weren’t as sturdy or as powerful.

Post mills evolved into tower mills in the 12th century. At this point in European history, only nobles had the resources to construct mills. Tower mills were made of brick or stone, which made them more reliable in stormy conditions. Their fans could also catch more wind, generating more power and processing grain much faster. Tower mills were a status symbol and this spurred a rush for their construction throughout Europe. By the 17th century advances in engineering had grown. Now the smock mill came into being. It was designed to be a cheaper, lighter, easier to build, and more efficient version of the tower mill. They quickly became the most popular type of windmill. This is partly because it was easier to build on wet terrains — an essential quality for the Dutch. Soon hundreds of windmills blossomed, turning sleepy villages into industrial centers almost overnight.

National Windmill Day originated in Holland, but it’s also celebrated in other Western countries. It commemorates the long history of windmills and their role in early European societies. It also looks to the future of wind energy, a renewable, clean energy source.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Windmill Day