Hook Mill

The Hook Mill has been undergoing renovation for quite awhile now, and I'm anxious to see it come out from under its covers sometime this summer. As sheathing was removed at the beginning of the process, more and more rot was discovered and the job became bigger and bigger. When its complete, the mill should be strong and sturdy for the next 200 years. No doubt when it was built in 1806 the Dominy men thought they were building a structure that would be used forever, and fortunately in East Hampton we value our heritage enough to take care of it and all the old mills have been well cared for despite their being outdated for their purpose a long time ago.

They are wonders of invention, these windmills. Each one was completely built in the back yard of the builder. When completed they were disassembled, moved piece by piece and reassembled on site all in one day. It must have taken a big team of huge men and some strong horses to accomplish that task and every time I think about it I am amazed again. The inner workings, much like clockworks, are an awe inspiring bit of machinery and their creators were geniuses. Some of them still work today as well as they did over 200 years ago.

I'm so glad I live in a community that treasures its past as much as East Hampton does. With our Historic Districts and our Historical Societies we've managed to preserve so much of the way of life our ancestors lived, and being able to walk in their shoes and literally sit in the rooms they sat in and the churches they worshipped in is a rare gift. I believe that we find greater comfort in our present when we appreciate our past. In my case I walk by the Hook Mill every day, and never fail to recognize the fact that my great, great grandparents did the very same thing. It's very cool.