Old Mill (West Tisbury, Massachusetts) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Old Mill
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Old Mill
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | West Tisbury, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1848 |
| NRHP reference No. | 84002303 |
| Added to NRHP | March 29, 1984 |
The Old Mill is a really old building in West Tisbury, Massachusetts, on Martha's Vineyard island. It was built around 1848. But people have been using this spot for different kinds of work since the 1600s! Today, the Martha's Vineyard Garden Club owns this historic place.
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A Long History
The Old Mill is located near the center of West Tisbury, Massachusetts. This area has been used for industrial activities since the 1650s. That was not long after English settlers first came to the island.
In 1845, a man named Captain Thomas Bradley bought the property. He paid $1,800 for it. At that time, the property had a "dilapidated" (meaning run-down) mill on it. Captain Bradley then built the new mill building that we see today. It is a 2+1⁄2-story building.
What Was It Used For?
The new mill was first used as a woolen mill. This means it processed wool to make fabric. It operated as a woolen mill until about 1873. After that, the building had many different owners and uses. It was a tea room where people could relax and have drinks. It also became an art gallery, showing off beautiful artworks. Sometimes, it was even an auction house, where items were sold to the highest bidder.
The Garden Club's Role
Since 1937, the building has been the main office for the Martha's Vineyard Garden Club. This club works to make the island more beautiful with plants and gardens. The club officially bought the property in 1942. In 1984, the Old Mill was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of important historical sites in the United States.
The Mill's Design
The Old Mill is a simple 2+1⁄2-story building. It is made of brick and wood. It sits on about 26 acres of land. Most of this land is south of the Edgartown-West Tisbury Road.
The building is close to the road, just south of it. It is built into a south-facing hill. The mill pond, which held water to power the mill, is on the north side of the road. There is a parking area near the mill, hidden by trees. Most of the land around the mill looks natural and wild.
Inside the Mill
The mill building has a main rectangular part. It is seven bays wide and four bays deep. A smaller, 1.5-story section extends from its east side. Each floor inside the building is one large, open room.
A stairway connects the first and second floors. A modern ladder can be pulled down to reach the top floor. On the east side of the building, there is a deck. This deck is a newer version of an older one. There is also a small, modern addition that holds restrooms.
The mill is built on a foundation of rubble (broken stones). The lower parts of the building, visible from the hillside, are made of brick. Red Brook, a small stream, flows under the mill. This brook used to provide power for the mill. However, you can no longer see how its power was used.
