Heersemmolen

The Heersemmolen is located on the Molenbeek, whose bed was artificially raised over two kilometers upstream to ensure the water supply of the mill. This work was realized during the Middle Ages. In this way, a decay of 3.75 m could be obtained at the mill lock. Upstream of the mill, the stream runs parallel to the Leuvenstraat over a distance of approx. 150 m. The bank of the stream is 3 meters higher than the street.

The mill takes its name from the Frankish place name 'Hendersem', residence of Hendrik. There are two wings that are at right angles to each other. The metal top gear and the interior are still present.

The mill was already mentioned in 1356. On 15 May 1450 the mill was rented by knight Symon Pynnock from Leuven: the lease is still preserved. The oldest parts, built in orange Spanish brick and white sandstone, date from the 15th century. Over the next 500 years, it was regularly rebuilt and expanded. At the end of the Ancien Régime, the alderman's bank of Beisem was located in the Heersemmolen.

In the 19th century the mill belonged to brewer Carleer. It was not until 1894 that the mill became the property of the miller himself. Johannes (Jan) Freys took over the lease of the mill in 1871 and planned to buy the property. In 1873 he married Maria-Margaretha Neefs. They had 6 children of which the eldest became the only son, namely. Robert, later mayor of Veltem-Beisem for many years. However, Jan died in 1893 before he could conclude the purchase. It was his widow who was able to buy the mill on September 22, 1894. The last miller, Daniël Ginis (nephew of Robert Freys) died in 1972. His heirs sold the mill to the current owner in 1975. He had been renting it partly since November 1973.

In 1926 the lockwork was renewed, using concrete (year as inscription). In 1986 the mill was restored and made grindable again. On July 16, 1993, the watermill and the farm complex were protected as a monument and together with their surroundings as a village view.

The interior is still complete and consists of: two grinding chairs, gallows or stone crane, two bumps (one of which is equipped with sifts, brushes, vibrating springs, fans and magnet), grain cleaner, grinding stone powered by water power, grinding chair (bag cart on 4 wooden wheels), devils or attic carts.
The agricultural lands were leased to the surrounding farmers in the 60s. The mill stopped grinding in 1973 on the death of the last mill.

The first known written mention of the mill dates from 1356. The oldest recovered document - a rental contract - is dated 15 May 1450. The owner then was knight Symon Pynnock from Leuven.De mill often changed hands. In the 19th century, brewer Carleer, also from Leuven, was the owner and after him successively his surviving children. It is only with grinder Freys that the mill becomes the property of the miller himself.

Johannes (Jan) Freys took over the lease of the mill in 1871 and planned to buy the property. In 1873 he married Maria-Margaretha Neefs. They had 6 children, the eldest of whom became the only son, namely Robert, later mayor of Veltem-Beisem for many years. However, Jan died in 1893 before he could conclude the purchase. It will be his widow who bought the mill on September 22, 1894.
In 1975, the heirs of the last mill, Daniel Ginis, nephew of Robert Freys, will sell the mill to the current owner. He had been renting it partly since November 1973.

Gemeente Kortenberg