Whether you’ve ever spent time on Cape CodI’m sure visions of white sandy beaches and lighthouses pop into your head. But Cape Cod is so much more than that! How do I know that? Well, not only have I been coming here all my life, but I also live here in the summer. So, did you know there are windmills on Cape Cod? In fact, there are a total of seven historic Cape Cod windmills, one of which I’ve passed more times than I can count on Route 6 in Eastham. But this year I have finally stopped by to learn all about it.

My dad, stepmom, a couple of friends and I were on our way to Chatham one day when we saw the door to the windmill open. I told my dad to stop so we could check it out. My dad is a huge history buff so he was more than happy to oblige. The fact that we could now learn about this huge piece of Cape Cod history was really appealing!

We parked the car and walked across the green towards the windmill. Entering the door marked with a plaque reading ‘Eastham Windmill 1680’ we were greeted by ‘Miller’. Since this windmill is no longer in use as a mill, “Miller” is a volunteer who monitors this landmark and shares information to visitors. Just so you know, visiting Eastham Windmill is free!

Eastham was not the original home of this windmill. In fact, it has moved around the Cape a few times. It all began in 1680 when its construction was completed in the city of Plymouth. Its first major move was in the 1770s when it was moved across Cape Cod Bay to Truro where it was used until 1793. The windmill’s second move came in 1793 when it was moved to Eastham, first to where the Salt Pond Visitor Center is currently located. and then to its present location in 1808.

This windmill is nearly 350 years old and has survived three major relocations, being dismantled and reassembled each time. To me, that’s pretty impressive! It’s the oldest as well as the last working grist mill on Cape Cod, and if you’re wondering, yes, it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

From architectural plans that break down every part of how the mill was built and how it works to old photos from years past on the wall, this windmill serves as a museum to its remarkable past.

Over the centuries many millers have worked here. Local residents would bring corn that they grew to the windmill, and that corn would then be ground into cornmeal to be used to bake bread and cookies.

It was fascinating to learn how the windmill worked, from how the sails were adjusted depending on where the wind was blowing to how the corn was ground against the stone after it passed through the hopper. Even though the technology is old compared to today, I think it’s amazing that this is how it was done hundreds of years ago and how effective it was.

In addition, the mill always had a cat whose sole responsibility was to catch mice. As you can see in the picture below, the cat had its own space where it would either sleep or lie in wait for a mouse. The cat illustration reads: “Jason is the Windmill Cat. He was washed ashore from a shipwreck long ago and came to live with the miller. He kept the mice away from the cornmeal and was a faithful companion to the old miller for many years.”

Have you ever checked out the Eastham Windmill or any of the other Cape Cod windmills? To learn more about Eastham Windmill, visit Eastham Historical Society website. The windmill is open to the public on weekends during the summer, weather permitting. Additionally, you can celebrate the Eastham Windmill during Windmill Weekend held on Labor Day weekend each year.

Do you know of any other historic sites on Cape Cod that you think we should write about? Use our nomination form to tell you all about it!

Curious to learn more about the Cape’s history? Check out the book The Enduring Shore: A History of Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucketavailable at Bookshop.org.