A  LIVE STORY OF AN OLD AKMENA WINDMILL

In Akmena countryside, Anykščiai region of Lithuania , on right hand side of Andrioniškis – Viešintos high road (drive), 7 kilometers from Andrioniškis and 4 kilometers to Viešintos stands out  high stone walls of an ancient windmill, which is being restored. It is historic Akmena Windmill. This large Dutch windmill was built approximately 140 - 150 years ago by Akmena estate owner Opanas (Hoppan), of German origin. to change a little water mill, built on a dam of rivulet Akmenele running nearby. It is known, that windmill construction was managed by German millwrights. Mill was large and beautiful. In y.1901 known Lithuanian writer Jonas Biliunas was charmed of its beauty and described Akmena windmill in his novel “Vejo malunas” (Windmill).

In 1914 our grandfather Juozas Jankauskas had bought Akmena estate together with windmill and since that time it is property of our family. All the century long it was alive and healthy, wind was blowing to its sails, moving its millstones and the grain had being melted and melted… people from Akmena vicinity have been grinding grain at this mill for their bread and pies… “It has done as much flour, that could not come to the mill itself”, - related one of the last millers of Akmena Vytautas Skaudas. All this time the mill was a part of Akmena view, property of Akmena estate, at last - a sight of Akmena vicinity.

Although the times have changed for worse. Machinery, electricity, technology progress other keen-sighted tricks of mankind have made it less and less useful. It seemed the end had come in early soviet years. Mill was alienated from its owner, our father and father in law Aleksandras Jankauskas and became collective farm property. Although the owner was honesty working as a chief and millwright of the mill. Though soviets were not satisfied. Akmena estate owner’s family, his brother, sister and old mother were exiled to Siberia, estate was plundered...

Energetic collective farmers have changed wind power to tractor, which was settled in a cabin by the mill and turned round the millstones…, but it was too little…, few years later tractor was thrown out, and an electric engine has been arranged in this cabin to move mill. Though it lasted not more than ten years, the mill was badly cared, roof was ruined , but it was the same for collective farm and regional authorities. Wooden machinery of the mill was used for fire and Akmena Windmill had ceased working, had become strayed and devastated.

In 1989 – 1991 years of Lithuanian revival care had been taken to prevent Akmena windmill from its full destruction. Akmena windmill was recognized as a local part of Lithuanian heritage.

In 1992 Akmena estate and Akmena windmill (really its ruins) were returned to their owner Juozas Jankauskas. Now it is a property of his daughter's Regina Zirguleviciene family.

In1994:In Institute of monuments restoration Akmena windmill restoration project was made.

Enterprise “Akmenos malunas” (Akmena Mill) was founded. The destination of this enterprise – to restore Akmena windmill.

Akmena windmill restoration works have started. Akmena windmill stone walls were restored.

In 1995 - windmills joist ceilings were restored

In 1996 – 1997 - windmill’s cap was constructed on the ground.

In 1998 –1999 - wind shaft, wind shaft bearings and poll end was constructed and arranged. Sail stocks were made.

In 2000 – upright shaft was made, lifted up and mounted on a bearing. Cap turning mechanism was done and arranged on mill’s walls.

In 2000 before Christmas windmill’s cap was lifted up and arranged on mill’s walls, on cap turning mechanism.

Such is a short Akmena windmill story.

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    Constructed by Rimgaudas Zirgulevicius                           2004 02 16