Chatham Windmill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Chatham Windmill
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 Location in Cape Cod
Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Chase Park, Chatham, Massachusetts |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1797 |
| Architect | Benjamin Godfrey |
| NRHP reference No. | 78000421 |
| Added to NRHP | November 30, 1978 |
The Chatham Windmill is a really old and special building located in Chase Park in Chatham, Massachusetts. It was built way back in 1797. This makes it one of the few wooden windmills left in Massachusetts. What's even cooler is that it can still grind grain today! Because it's so important, the windmill was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
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Discovering the Chatham Windmill
The Chatham Windmill stands in Chase Park, just southwest of downtown Chatham. It sits on a small hill, looking out over the beautiful Mill Pond. This pond is located on Chatham's south shore.
What Does the Windmill Look Like?
The windmill is made of wood and stands about three stories tall. It has a unique eight-sided shape that gets narrower towards the top. The top part, called the cap, has a pointed roof, like a house. The entire windmill is covered in wooden shingles.
The cap's sides are slightly curved. The big wind vanes, which catch the wind, are attached to one end of this roof. You can enter the windmill from either the north or south sides. There are also small windows on the second floor.
A Long and Moving History
The Chatham Windmill was built in 1797 by a person named Benjamin Godfrey. Its main job was to grind corn into flour. When it was first built, the windmill was located on Stage Harbor Road.
In 1955, the windmill was given to the town of Chatham. That same year, it was carefully moved to its current spot in Chase Park. The way it was built suggests that its creator, Benjamin Godfrey, might have learned his building skills in southeast England.
The windmill was used for grinding grain for many years. It kept working until 1907, when a big storm caused a lot of damage. Even after it was fixed, another severe storm in 1929 damaged it again. Over the years, the windmill has been repaired many times. Worn-out or rotted parts have been replaced to keep it strong.
Still Working Today!
Today, the Chatham Windmill is open to visitors as a museum during certain times of the year. The town even hires a special person called a miller. This miller sometimes uses the windmill to grind grain, just like people did hundreds of years ago. It's a fantastic way to see history in action!
