By 1911, the sawmill had switched to electric power, and its wind-powered upper structure was dismantled. It wasn't until decades later that Utrecht residents organized an effort to rebuild it, eventually reopening the restored mill in 1999. I thought it was pretty cool that a machine dismantled because of technological progress was later rebuilt because people wanted to preserve that very technology. Seeing the machinery in person also gave me a new appreciation for the engineers who designed these systems centuries before electric motors were available.
That evening, I happened to catch Utrecht's annual Saint Martin's Parade. Saint Martin, the city's patron saint, is remembered for sharing his cloak with someone in need, and the celebration brings residents together through music, performances, and illuminated displays. I wandered through the city alongside hundreds of other people, passing glowing sculptures, choir performances, and children carrying lights. At one church, community members stood along the halls reading the story of Saint Martin aloud to visitors in several languages.
What I found most memorable was how the streets had been transformed for the evening. With no cars passing through, people could move freely between performances, stopping to talk or admire the illuminated displays. I'd never really experienced anything comparable in the United States, at least on this scale. It was lovely to see so much of Utrecht out together, participating in a celebration that has been part of the city's identity for many years.
