Windmill at Water Mill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Windmill at Water Mill
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | Water Mill, Southampton, New York |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1800 |
| MPS | Long Island Wind and Tide Mills TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 78001919 |
| Added to NRHP | December 27, 1978 |
The Corwith Windmill at Water Mill is a historic building in Southampton, New York. It stands proudly on NY 27 and Halsey Lane. This old windmill has a long and interesting story. It is a special landmark that shows how people used to live and work.
Contents
What is the Corwith Windmill?
This windmill was built way back in 1800 by James Mitchel. It was first located in a place called North Haven. In 1813, it was moved to its current spot in Water Mill. It replaced an older mill that was destroyed by a big snowstorm in 1811.
The Corwith Windmill is quite unique because of its size.
- It is the shortest surviving windmill on Long Island. It measures about 29 feet from the ground to the top.
- Its sails are also the smallest of any windmill on Long Island, measuring about 23 feet.
In 1934, a group called the Daughters of the Revolution placed a special plaque above its door. This plaque marked it as part of a public park. The windmill was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. This means it is a very important historical site.
How is it Built?
The Corwith Windmill is an early type of "smock mill."
- A smock mill has a tower that stays still.
- The top part, called the "cap," can turn around.
- This cap holds the wind sails.
- On this early type of mill, the cap sat on a greased curb. This made it easier to turn the cap to face the wind.
- Later smock windmills, like the Hayground Windmill, used rollers to help the cap turn even more easily.
A Journey Through Time
The Corwith Windmill has seen many changes over the years. It was originally a gristmill, which means it was used to grind grain into flour.
Early Days and Ownership
- The windmill was first built in Sag Harbor.
- In 1813, it was moved by oxen to the Water Mill commons. Oxen are strong animals similar to cows.
- James Corwith bought the mill in 1813. He added a gristmill part to the structure.
- For about 50 years, the mill operated on public land. Many gristmills back then were community property.
- In 1860, the land was officially given to the Corwith family.
- Several generations of the Corwith family operated the mill. They continued grinding grain until 1887.
Community Landmark
Today, the Water Mill Village Improvement Association (WMVIA) owns and takes care of the windmill. This is a non-profit group.
- The windmill was fully restored in 1987.
- In 2010, the WMVIA replaced important parts like the main driveshaft and all the wind vanes.
- The green area around the windmill, called Watermill Green, is used for community events. You might see antique car shows or other activities there!
- The gristmill part of the windmill was also made a landmark in 1984.
The Mill's Purpose
The Corwith mill likely served only the small community of Water Mill. In 1887, about 200 people lived there, mostly farmers. Other custom windmills were located nearby in towns like Bridgehampton and East Hampton. This meant each mill probably served its local area.
By the 1890s, wealthy people from New York City started buying properties in the area. Farmers sometimes became tradesmen to serve these new residents. James Corwith's son, Samuel, who was a carpenter, took over the mill's ownership and daily operations.
Changing Hands
- In 1888, Samuel Corwith sold the mill to Josiah Lombard and Marshall Ayres. They were businessmen from New York City.
- They had bought land near the windmill and built a large summer house.
- The new landscaping changed how the wind blew, making it harder for the mill to work.
- Samuel sold the mill to them for $900.
- In 1895, Ayers and Lombard sold it back to Samuel for just $1!
- Samuel then immediately sold it to his son, James, for $10.
The mill then became more of a decoration.
- In 1896, Dr. Edward L. Keyes bought the Lombard/Ayers estate.
- In 1898, he bought the now unused mill from James Corwith for $10.
- Over time, the original stones under the mill were replaced with a foundation. Ivy grew on its walls.
- In 1909, Edward P. Morse, a shipbuilder from Brooklyn, bought the Keyes property, including the windmill.
Public Ownership
- In 1929, Morse sold the estate, including the windmill, to Irene Ann Coleman.
- In 1931, she gave it to the Nuns of the Order of St. Dominic.
- Shortly after, the nuns gave the windmill and its green space to the Trustees of Water Mill Park. This was on the condition that the Town of Southampton would keep it as a public park and maintain the windmill.
- However, these conditions were not fully met. So, the ownership went back to the Nuns.
- On May 17, 1934, the Nuns gave the windmill to the Water Mill Village Improvement Association, Inc. This group still owns it today. They agreed to maintain the green and the mill as a public park.
Repairs and Upkeep
- During the 1930s, some outside repairs were made to the mill.
- A big hurricane in 1938 caused a lot of damage. The cap was knocked off, and the tailpole needed to be reattached.
- A new windshaft was made by a carpenter in Southampton.
- More repairs were needed after another hurricane in 1954.
- In the late 1950s, parts of at least two sails were replaced.
- In the early 1970s, new window sashes were installed.
Images for kids
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The Corwith Windmill standing tall in Water Mill.
- Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) No. NY-134, "Windmill at Water Mill, Montauk Highway & Halsey Lane, Water Mill, Suffolk County, NY", 11 photos, 6 measured drawings, 60 data pages, 1 photo caption page
