Wainscott Windmill
Why it's listed
Built in 1813 and attributed to millwright Samuel Schellinger, this wooden windmill was originally a wind-powered grist mill. It now stands on common ground beside tennis courts at the center of the Georgica Association, a residential community in Wainscott, where it serves as a focal point and symbol of the neighborhood. The mill has changed over time: its bolters, millstones and other machinery were removed in 1912, it was moved and attached to a house as living quarters in 1922, and two sides were replaced and new floors installed in 1942. Even so, it keeps a luffing mechanism, a fly with fanstage, a star wheel with four vanes, and interior machinery including a brake wheel, wallower, great spur wheel, regulator and stone crane. It is one of only seven Long Island windmills with major internal machinery, the only one with a spur-gear wallower, and the earliest surviving mill using a bridge beam instead of a central post.
Significance in brief: It is one of few surviving early windmills on Long Island and one of only seven that still hold major internal machinery. It is the only extant mill attributed to millwright Samuel Schellinger, who succeeded the Dominy family. It is the only Long Island windmill with a spur-gear wallower and the earliest surviving mill where a bridge beam replaces the central post.
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 78001915, listed December 27, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | On Georgica Association grounds, East Hampton |
|---|---|
| County | Suffolk County |
| Listed | December 27, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78001915 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Attributed to Samuel Schellinger |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Engineering, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition fair; now used as a decorative element and visual symbol of the Georgica Association. Moved in 1922 and added to a house as living quarters; no threats known. |
| Coordinates | 40.93371, -72.23718 (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 78001915.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7960187
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.