A mill stood in the direct vicinity of Sanssouci Palace as far back as 1738. Friedrich Wilhelm II then had the old Bockwindmühle (post mill), which had been built in 1787/91, replaced by a larger mill with a stone pedestal and an all-round gallery modeled on the Dutch form. 

The flour mill at Sanssouci halted its operations in the second half of the 19th century. During the Second World War, the building burned all the way down to its stone pedestal. It was only at the end of the 20th century that reconstruction began on the mill, which was then transformed into a museum (Historische Mühle). 

Since the spring of 2003, the museum has been able to manufacture grain products just like in the old days – at least, that is, if the wind is blowing.On the ground floor, visitors can find out more about mills in Brandenburg and Berlin and also purchase different mill products. 

Exhibitions examining the craft of milling are on display on the first three floors of the stone tower. From the mill's gallery, visitors have a stunning view of the Neues Palais, Park Sanssouci and the nearby City of Potsdam. From the third floor, it's possible to ascend further to the grinding floor and the viewing floor.