The Windmills and Watermills of Long Island,N.Y.
May 26, 2009 12:35:41 GMT
Post by Deleted on May 26, 2009 12:35:41 GMT
Windmills and watermills,wonders of an earlier era,the wooden technology of yesteryear. To us they may be graceful and charming relics.to the colonists,however,they were a vital necessity. Colonial craftsmen constructed thm to mill grain,saw wood,pump water and various other jobs.
Furthermore,the mill was the gathering place for the villagers. While they waited for their grain to be milled,the villagers exchanged news,gossip and stories. Millers were well respected for not only their mills output but also for their own weather forecasts,knowledge of engines and of up to date news.
Long Island is an ideal place for catching the steady wind from the ocean and bay. 125 miles long,narrow,only 20 miles across at it's widest and relatively flat. Thus,many wind and water mills were built here and several still exist particularly at the island's east end. As a matter of fact the South Fork of Long Island contains the greatest number of surviving wind and water mills in the United States.
from: Windmills and Watermills of Long Island,by Sr. Annie Francis Puling and Gerald A. Leeds
Beebe Windmill,Bridgehampton,Long Island,N.Y.
I was born and grew up directly across the street from this windmill. I can't begin to tell you the memories it holds for me. As a child and then adolescent I can assure you I did more than exchange local news,weather reports and gossip.
Furthermore,the mill was the gathering place for the villagers. While they waited for their grain to be milled,the villagers exchanged news,gossip and stories. Millers were well respected for not only their mills output but also for their own weather forecasts,knowledge of engines and of up to date news.
Long Island is an ideal place for catching the steady wind from the ocean and bay. 125 miles long,narrow,only 20 miles across at it's widest and relatively flat. Thus,many wind and water mills were built here and several still exist particularly at the island's east end. As a matter of fact the South Fork of Long Island contains the greatest number of surviving wind and water mills in the United States.
from: Windmills and Watermills of Long Island,by Sr. Annie Francis Puling and Gerald A. Leeds
Beebe Windmill,Bridgehampton,Long Island,N.Y.
I was born and grew up directly across the street from this windmill. I can't begin to tell you the memories it holds for me. As a child and then adolescent I can assure you I did more than exchange local news,weather reports and gossip.
