Historic Cape Cod: Dexter’s Grist Mill in Sandwich

March 11, 11:56 AMCape Cod Travel ExaminerDawn M Smith

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The restored Dexter's Grist Mill on Cape Cod / DM Smith Photo

Just a short walk from Hoxie House, Cape Cod’s oldest saltbox home, is Dexter’s Grist Mill. The original grist mill was built around the time that Sandwich was settled. The restored mill was opened in the 1960s. Tour the mill and buy fresh ground corn meal.

History of Dexter’s Grist Mill
In the early 1600s the land, which is now the Town of Sandwich on Cape Cod, was given to Ten Men of Saugus (now the city of Lynn). Thomas Dexter was one of those men. He built the gristmill so that the people of Sandwich would not have to travel far to get their corn milled.

In the 1800s the water wheel was replaced with a steel turbine and a second mill was added on the site. The grist mill closed in 1881. A growing interest in preserving the history of Cape Cod led to the restoration of the mill in the early 1960s. At that time granite grind stones, as had been used originally, were installed and the millrace, using water from Shawme Pond once again provides the power.

Visiting Dexter’s Grist Mill in Sandwich
The grist mill, just across the street from the Sandwich Glass Museum, is open to the public from June through the end of September. Docents operate the mill race and grind stones, explaining how the mill was constructed and demonstrating the milling operation. At the end of the talk, corn, sourced from an organic farm and ground on site the same day, is available for sale. Traditional corn meal based recipes come with every bag.

The docents are also great sources of information about other historic sites in Sandwich, enticing visitors to enjoy a walk around the town and learn more about early Colonial life on Cape Cod. Sandwich Heritage Museums and Gardens are just a short drive from here.

Dexter’s Grist Mill at Water Street (Rte 130) and Main Street Sandwich
Phone: 508-888-4910
Open mid-June to the end of September, Mon-Sat 10 am – 5 pm Sun. 1 – 5 pm
Admission is $3.00 for adults. Combined ticket for Dexter’s Grist Mill and Hoxie House $5.00.

More Historic Cape Cod Stops:

Aptucxet Trading Post Museum
Mashpee one room schoolhouse
Town of Plymouth- the Mayflower and Plymouth Rock