Eastham Windmill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Eastham Windmill
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Eastham Windmill, built in 1680
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| Location | Eastham, Massachusetts |
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| Architect | Cummings, Charles K.; et al. |
| Architectural style | Georgian, Late Victorian |
| Part of | Eastham Center Historic District (ID99000560) |
| Designated CP | May 12, 1999 |
The Eastham Windmill is a very old and special building. It stands in Eastham, Massachusetts. This windmill is the oldest one you can find on Cape Cod.
It was built a long time ago, in 1680. A person named Thomas Paine built it in Plymouth. Over the years, the windmill moved a few times. First, it went to Truro in 1770. Then, it moved to Eastham in 1793. Finally, in 1808, it came to its current spot. This spot is near the Eastham Town Hall and the Eastham Public Library.
The Eastham Windmill is part of a special area called the Eastham Center Historic District. Because it is so important, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. This list helps protect important historical places.
What is a Windmill?
A windmill is a machine that uses the power of the wind. It has large blades that spin when the wind blows. These spinning blades turn a shaft inside the building. This shaft then powers grinding stones.
People used windmills to grind grain into flour. This was a very important job in the past. It helped communities make bread and other foods. The Eastham Windmill is a great example of this old technology.
Eastham Windmill Weekend
Every year, Eastham celebrates its famous windmill. This celebration is called the Eastham Windmill Weekend. It has been happening since 1977.
The festival takes place on the first weekend after Labor Day. It is a fun time for everyone in the town. People come together to enjoy games, food, and activities. It's a way to honor the windmill and the town's history.
Helping the Windmill
Old buildings like the Eastham Windmill need care. They need repairs to stay strong. In 1996, a local Boy Scout helped a lot.
He chose the windmill for his Eagle Project. This is a big project that Boy Scouts do to earn a special rank. He raised money and worked hard. He helped replace parts of the fence around the windmill. Local businesses in Eastham gave money to help with this project. The Eastham Windmill is a special symbol for local Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts.
