Fulton's newest attraction, the Windmill Cultural Center (WCC), was dedicated April 2010. The WCC houses an extensive collection of 21 European windmills. The windmills vary in size up to six feet tall.
The collection was designed by Henk and June Hielema of DeMotte, Indiana. Mr. Hielema was employed in Europe and as a hobby; he and June traveled extensively, photographed mills, and returned home to build models of them. The mills are from ten European countries: Belgium, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Portugal, and The Netherlands. Informative interpretive materials compliment the windmill collection providing unique information on the products produced by windmills, country of origin, windmill specifications, and the cultural impact of windmills.
The Windmill Cultural Center contains a charming gift shop where visitors can purchase fresh stone-ground flour, Delft pottery, and souvenirs of Fulton, the Windmill Cultural Center, and the windmill.
The Education Area can be found at the east end of the Windmill Cultural Center. This room assists visitors who would like to learn more about mills. Groups will be able to enjoy video presentations of the windmill countries and read books about mills. The Education Area also contains children's activities including coloring, puzzles, and toys promoting scientific concepts.
Special exhibits can be found at the Windmill Cultural Center throughout the year.
Entrance to the Windmill Cultural Center is free, but donations are appreciated for maintenance and operations.
Tour Info
Student/School Group Tours:
Tours are available to school groups with 10 or more students, but no more than 50 students. Specialized lesson plans have been created for school groups. Educational information includes: hands-on science experiments, wind energy, weather, geography, and European cultures. Tours include both the Windmill Cultural Center and de Immigrant windmill. School group tours are available May thru October and last an hour. Tour times are 10am, 11:30am, and 1pm. A minimum of two weeks' notice is required for school group tours. To schedule, please call or email
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or 815-589-4545. Suggested donation of $1.00/student.
Adult Group Tours:
Tours are available to adult groups with 10 or more individuals. Tours inlude both the Windmill Cultural Center and de Immigrant windmill. A minimum of two weeks' notice is required for group tour requests. To schedule, please call or email
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or 815-589-4545. Suggested donation of $2.00/adult.
Temporary Exhibits 2013: TBA
2013 Programs @ Windmill Cultural Center:
The following free programs are scheduled to coincide with the city's 2013 tourism theme, "Lincoln Highway Centennial 1913-2013: Travel & Tribute." The programs are sponsored by the Volunteer Millers with a grant from the D.S. Flikkema Foundation. All programs begin at 6:00 p.m.
January 22 - "All Community Read: Country Driving by Peter Hessler" Discussion led by Martha Bonte, Clinton Community College Professor
February 11 - "Stargazing along the Lincoln Highway" by Jim Rutenbeck, Quad Cities Astronomy Club
March 25 - "My Journeys Around the World as a Blind Traveler" by Mike Hoenig, University of Iowa
April 14 - "Lincoln's Long Journey Home: From Assassination to Interment" by Ron Koehn, Retired Teacher, Fulton High School. Note: this program is at 2:00pm.
April 30 - "Walt Whitman's Lincoln: A Song of Myself" by Brian "Fox" Ellis, Illinois Humanities Council
May 30 - "Lou Henry Hoover & Her Cross Country Journey" by Craig Wright, Herbert Hoover Presidential Library & Museum
June 26 - "The Journey of America's First Women Pilots" by David Byrnes, Midway Village (Rockford), President
July 9 - "Crossroads of the Nation: The Hidden History of the Railroads of Illinois" by Dr. Simon Cordery, Western Illinois University
August 29 - "Abraham Lincoln in Song" by Chris Vallillo, Macomb - Gin Ridge Music
September 30 - "Franklin Creek Grist Mill: Lincoln Highway Mill" by Ellen Barker, Franklin Creek Watermill Volunteer
October 29 - Video: "Lincoln and Blackhawk" by Jeffrey Chown & Drew VandeCreek, Producers (IHC Documentary)
November 12 - "The Humor of Abraham Lincoln" by Dr. Bill Hampes, Black Hawk College
2013 Wild Winter Wednesday Programs @ Windmill Cultural Center
Wednesdays in January, February, and March 2013 from 9am to 11am. Light refreshments served. The events are FREE and the public is welcome to attend. All programs are presented by local citizens or businesses.
January 2 - Cultural Exchange to Ireland by Fulton Volunteers
January 9 - Exploring the North Island of New Zealand by Ron and Connie Koehn
January 16 - Exploring the South Island of New Zealand by Ron and Connie Koehn
January 23 - Quad City Airport, Lindbergh, Earhart & Beyond by David T. Coopman
January 30 - Panel of Antiquers Answer Questions About Your Old Stuff
February 6 - Let's Make Crepes with Pam Van Zuiden and Judy Holesinger
Feburary 13 - Roasting Coffee Beans by Benjamin DeWaard
Feburary 20 - Coca Cola Collecting by Janet Medendorp & Popcorn by Popcorn Charlie
Feburary 27 - Mushrooms & Berries by Mitch Gravert
March 6 - Spring Wildflowers by Bob Motz
March 13 - The Orphan Trains by Carol Chandler
March 20 - Butterflies by Barb Hagenson
March 27 - Baseball Stadiums by Randy Kester & Burlington Trailways
