The Old Mill

The Old Mill is an octagonal wooden tower standing about 50 feet high with four rotating vanes approximately 30 feet long. The structure turns to face the prevailing wind, allowing it to grind grain efficiently whenever weather conditions are favorable.

The mill was built in 1746 by Nathan Wilbur, who salvaged wood from shipwrecks and held the frame together with wooden pegs. It stands as the sole remaining example from a group of four windmills that once operated on the island's western hills.

The mill represents early American craft techniques and shows how residents once produced their own food supplies. Today visitors can watch corn being ground into meal using traditional methods from the 1700s.

You can step inside during windmill tours to watch the working mechanisms, especially when conditions allow the vanes to turn. The location sits on a hilltop with views of the surrounding landscape, so sturdy footwear is helpful for the uneven ground.

Many visitors overlook that the construction uses timber salvaged from shipwrecks, making it a practical example of resourcefulness in difficult times. Being the sole survivor of its kind on the island offers a rare window into how the area once powered its economy.

Location: Nantucket

GPS coordinates: 41.27720,-70.10140

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:06