Chatham Windmill
Why it's listed
Chatham Windmill is a three-story, octagonal, shingle-sheathed grist mill with a rotating cap, set in Chase Park on a small hill above Mill Pond. Colonel Benjamin Godfrey built it in 1797, and his family owned it until the end of the Civil War. It served as Chatham's principal grist mill through the 19th century and stayed in use despite storm damage in 1907 and 1929. Much of the original fabric survives, though gears and other wearing parts have been replaced over time, and restorations in 1956 and 1977 conserved as much original material as possible. In 1955 Stuart Crocker donated the mill to the Town of Chatham, and it was moved from its original site on Stage Harbor to its present location. Today the town operates it as a museum and employs a miller who still grinds corn. It was recognized as one of the few surviving wind-powered grist mills in working condition.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it one of the few surviving wind-powered grist mills in operating condition. It was Chatham's principal grist mill throughout the 19th century. It remains in working order as a town museum with a miller who grinds corn.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 78000421, listed November 30, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Chase Park, Shattuck Pl., Chatham |
|---|---|
| County | Barnstable County |
| Listed | November 30, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78000421 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1700-1799, 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Col. Benjamin Godfrey |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Commerce |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Excellent condition; owned by the Town of Chatham, maintained as a museum with a miller who continues to grind corn. Restored in 1956 and 1977. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.67633, -69.95875 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 78000421.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5087710
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.