Windmill at Water Mill
The James Corwith Grist Windmill, also known as the Windmill at Water Mill, is one of Long Island’s most recognizable historic landmarks. Standing proudly along Montauk Highway (Route 27) in the hamlet of Water Mill, this shingled wooden windmill has greeted travelers to the Hamptons for more than two centuries. Built around 1800 and relocated to its current site in 1813, the Corwith Windmill represents the agricultural ingenuity of early settlers who harnessed the island’s coastal winds to grind grain and support local farming communities. Today it remains a beloved roadside icon and centerpiece of the Water Mill Museum, celebrating Long Island’s rural and maritime heritage.
History
The story of the Corwith Windmill begins around 1800, when a smock-style windmill was constructed on Hog’s Neck (now North Haven, near Sag Harbor). In 1813, a team of oxen hauled the entire structure several miles south to Water Mill, where James Corwith, a local farmer and miller, installed it beside an existing water-powered mill built in 1644-the same mill that gave the hamlet its name.
For more than 70 years, the windmill’s wooden sails turned the steady Atlantic breeze into mechanical power, grinding wheat, corn, and oats for nearby farms. Like most Long Island mills of the period, it was built in the smock design-an eight-sided tower sheathed in cedar shingles with a rotating cap that could be adjusted to face the wind.
Operations gradually ceased in the late 19th century as modern roller mills and steam power became more efficient. Yet unlike many other mills that fell into disrepair, the Corwith family maintained the structure, and it survived virtually intact. In the mid-20th century, local preservationists restored the building and established the Water Mill Museum to protect it for future generations.
Today, the mill stands as one of only eleven surviving historic wind-powered gristmills in New York State-and one of just a handful that remain on their original foundations on Long Island’s South Fork. It was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
Visitor Information
The Corwith Windmill and the adjacent Water Mill Museum are open seasonally, typically from late spring through early fall. Visitors can explore the museum’s exhibits on early milling, local history, and Long Island craftsmanship, as well as view the windmill’s exterior and interpretive signage.
The site is easily accessible along Route 27 (Montauk Highway)-a convenient stop for travelers en route to Southampton, Bridgehampton, and East Hampton. Parking is available nearby, and photography is encouraged, especially in the early morning or at sunset when the windmill’s sails are framed against the sky.
The museum occasionally offers guided tours and community events, including art shows and heritage days highlighting the area’s agricultural past. For current hours and programming, visitors should check watermillmuseum.org before visiting.
Key Facts & Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Built | ca. 1800 (moved to Water Mill in 1813) |
| Builder / Operator | James Corwith and family |
| Type | Smock windmill (wood-shingled tower, rotating cap) |
| Location | 41 Old Mill Road, Water Mill, NY 11976 |
| County / Town | Suffolk County – Town of Southampton |
| Operated Until | c. 1887 |
| Current Use | Part of the Water Mill Museum complex |
| Listed on NRHP | December 27, 1978 (Ref #78001919) |
| Maintained By | Water Mill Museum |
| Significance | One of Long Island’s oldest surviving windmills; namesake of the hamlet of Water Mill |
The James Corwith Grist Windmill endures as a powerful reminder of the Hamptons’ pre-resort era-when wind and water powered the island’s economy and community life revolved around the mill. Its weathered shingles, wooden gears, and commanding sails symbolize both the simplicity and ingenuity of early Long Island life. Whether admired from the roadside or visited as part of the museum, the windmill continues to inspire pride and curiosity as one of the region’s most enduring historic treasures.
