Die historische Sägemühle Meier Osthoff in Harsewinkel öffnet ihre Türen

What to Expect in Harsewinkel:
The water-powered frame saw at the Meier Osthoff Sawmill was put into operation by the Meier Osthoff family 140 years ago. The sawmill was of great importance to Harsewinkel and the surrounding area due to the demand for planks and square-edged lumber. Sawing operations served as a sideline for the Meier farm. 
In 1984, the sawmill was designated a historic landmark. At that time, sawing operations were carried out only occasionally. With the goal of preserving the Meier Osthoff Harsewinkel Sawmill and all of its machinery, the Förderverein Sägemühle Meier Osthoff Harsewinkel e.V. (Meier Osthoff Harsewinkel Sawmill Support Association) was founded in 2009. Following the restoration of the turbine, sawing has once again been powered by water since 2012.
Since 2014, electricity has been generated using water power, just as it was around 1920. 
In addition, the paper mill was built in 2014 and is now a major attraction for visitors. 
In 2018–2019, the Friends’ Association established a training center. This extracurricular learning center at the sawmill is primarily intended to teach school classes—starting around the 5th grade—the basics and various methods of generating electricity from renewable energy sources. To this end, Eberhard Nacke, together with Sophie Kemp, developed an educationally sound concept. On selected dates coordinated with the schools, school classes visit the Sägemühle and learn, through vivid examples and with the help of their own small experiments, how electricity can be generated from water, sunlight, wind, and biogas.

By 2025, the long-planned nature trail and exhibition on local wildlife had been designed and was already partially completed. Four display cases, viewable from both sides, had already been manufactured and installed on the grounds. These are climate-controlled to ensure ideal conditions for the exhibits. They are also equipped with folding shutters to protect the exhibits from strong sunlight and to keep them out of sight of any birds of prey, which could injure themselves while spotting what they perceive as prey. Approximately fifty inspected and approved exhibits of native animals are available for the exhibition.
Completion of the nature trail is scheduled for 2026 / 2027.