Little Chute Windmill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Little Chute Windmill |
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| Origin | |
| Mill name | Little Chute Windmill |
| Mill location | Little Chute, Wisconsin |
| Coordinates | 44°16′49″N 88°19′00″W / 44.280204°N 88.316805°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Smock mill |
| Storeys | Three-story smock |
| Base storeys | Three-story base |
| Smock sides | Eight sides |
| No. of sails | Four sails |
| Type of sails | Common sails |
| Winding | Tailpole and winch |
The Little Chute Windmill and Van Asten Visitor Center is a real Dutch windmill in Little Chute, Wisconsin. It is a special type of windmill called a smock mill. This amazing wooden structure helps us learn about the past.
It shows how people used wind power long ago. The windmill grinds grain into flour. It is a tribute to the Dutch people who settled in this area. You can take tours to see how it works inside.
The windmill is located at 130 West Main Street in Little Chute. It usually runs during the warmer summer months. The Visitor Center is open all year, but not on Sundays.
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The Windmill's Design
The Little Chute Windmill looks like windmills from the 1850s. Its design comes from the North Brabant province in the Netherlands. Many of the first Dutch settlers in Wisconsin came from this region.
This wooden windmill is very tall, about 38 meters (125 feet) high. A famous mill builder named Lucas Verbij designed it. His family has been building windmills for generations. Parts of the windmill were built in the Netherlands. Then, they were shipped to Little Chute to be put together.
How a Smock Mill Works
A smock mill has a special shape. The bottom part is wide and fixed to the ground. The top part, called the "cap," can turn around. This lets the sails face the wind no matter which way it blows.
Inside, gears and shafts connect the turning sails to large millstones. When the wind spins the sails, the millstones turn. They grind grain into flour. This is a very old and clever way to use nature's power.
The Van Asten Visitor Center
The Van Asten Visitor Center is next to the windmill. It has many interesting displays. These displays tell the story of Dutch settlers in Little Chute. You can learn about their lives and how they built the community.
The Little Chute Historical Society manages the center. They keep old records, family histories, and research materials there. You can even do your own research.
The Van Dyn Hoven Media Room
Inside the Visitor Center, there is a special room called the Van Dyn Hoven Media Room. This room can be rented for events. It has screens and sound equipment. Often, it shows videos and photos of how the windmill was built. It's a great place to see the construction process step-by-step.
