Baxter Mill, Historic water mill museum in West Yarmouth, Massachusetts, United States
Baxter Mill is a historic water mill in West Yarmouth, Massachusetts, now operating as a museum. The small wooden two-story building stands beside Mill Pond and displays the original equipment once used for grinding grain.
The mill was built around 1710 by John and Shubel Baxter and remained one of few water mills in this area for generations. In 1860 it was modernized when the external waterwheel was replaced with an internal turbine system.
The mill shows how people on Cape Cod ground grain and produced daily food centuries ago using water power. You can still see how this water-driven system shaped local life and work in the region.
The site is operated by the Yarmouth Historical Commission and opens during warmer months for visitors. It is easy to reach on foot and admission is typically free or very affordable, making it a good stop for a brief local visit.
The building was fully restored in 1961 and received a working replica of the original turbine at that time. This reconstruction lets visitors see how the original grinding actually worked, making the past come alive in a way that photos cannot capture.
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