There is perhaps no sight more iconic in East Hampton than that of the rustic wooden windmill on North Main Street with its sails turning lazily in the wind.
See a piece of history at a famous East Hampton windmill, known as Old Hook Mill. Built in 1806, it is the best known of only a handful of surviving Long Island windmills from the 18th and 19th centuries. Explore this iconic structure and appreciate its history.
Find Old Hook Mill standing tall in the middle of a sprawling green lawn in the center of town. The windmill’s grayed, wooden shingles and creaky sails are testament to its storied past. It was built over two centuries ago to mill grain from local farmers. The windmill was used regularly until 1908 and was sold to the town of East Hampton 14 years later. In 1978, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
New York is reputed to have more windmills than any other state in the nation. This is because it was under Dutch rule for quite some time, and as such, adopted its motherland’s milling methods. Old Hook Mill, like so many others that were built across the state, was used to grind wheat and corn. Visit today to check out its original parts, which have been painstakingly restored.
Within easy walking distance of Old Hook Mill, discover many of East Hampton’s other historic sights. At Home Sweet Home Museum, tour a 18th-century saltbox home filled with early American furniture, textiles, ceramics and other memorabilia. At Mulford Farm, which is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, discover an immaculately preserved English colonial farmstead. In the South End Cemetery, see the gravestones of East Hampton’s founding fathers.
The East Hampton windmill of Old Hook Mill is on North Main Street, the road leading to Amagansett. The mill is open throughout the year. During the summer, it has extended hours on Monday through Saturday and remains open for just a few hours on Sunday. There is an admission fee.
