Built 1650 (1650) Opened 1650 Added to NRHP 30 November 1982 | NRHP Reference # 82001008 Area 2 ha | |
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Location Mill Street, New London, Connecticut Similar Ye Antientist Burial Gr, Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London Harbor Li, New London Customhouse, United States Coast Gu | ||
The Winthrop Mill (also known as the Old Town Mill) is a historic mill building on Mill Street in New London, Connecticut. It is a grist mill located astride Briggs Brook between bridges carrying the eastbound and westbound lanes of Interstate 95. The first mill was supposedly established on this site in 1650 by Governor John Winthrop, Jr., and the property remained in Winthrop family hands until the late 18th century. Some elements of the mill infrastructure may be very nearly original to the period of first use, notably the elevated flume, wheel pit, and tail race. The present building may also include elements of the original, although it is known that the mill was set afire during Benedict Arnold's 1781 raid on New London and Groton. The property went through a succession of owners until 1892, when it was acquired by the city. It was leased for commercial operation until 1913, and underwent a major rehabilitation in 1960.
The property was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 30, 1982. The grounds are open daily; the mill itself is open to tours by special appointment.