Winthrop Mill

Winthrop Mill is a historic watermill located on Mill Street in New London, built as a sturdy wooden structure with a gambrel roof and horizontal boarding. The building houses a waterwheel powered by water flowing through an elevated wooden channel, which turned grinding mechanisms for processing grain.

The mill was founded in 1650 by Governor John Winthrop Jr. and William Comstock to serve the needs of the growing colonial settlement. The building was damaged in 1781 when Benedict Arnold led a raid on the town during the American Revolution.

The mill shows how water power shaped daily work in early colonial communities and what role it played in local life. Walking around the site helps you understand how people depended on the flowing water to grind grain and support their families.

You can visit the mill grounds any day, but exploring inside the building requires arranging a tour with the New London city administration in advance. It is helpful to contact the city office beforehand to schedule your visit at a convenient time.

Original water system components from the 1600s remain visible at the site, including the elevated wooden channel and the pit that held the wheel. These surviving parts let you see directly how the mill actually operated centuries ago.

Location: Connecticut

GPS coordinates: 41.36306,-72.10000

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:23