Two men on a mill : $b The story of the restoration of Baxter's MillCastonguay, A. Harold
Philosophy
Two men on a mill : $b The story of the restoration of Baxter's Mill
Castonguay, A. Harold
Flour mills -- Conservation and restoration -- Massachusetts -- Cape Cod; Flour mills -- Massachusetts -- Cape Cod -- History
Other restoration projects that come to mind are two or three windmills
in Chatham and Eastham which have been restored or reproduced, and a
few herring runs, but there are many other places and sites that are
gradually going unless we all make some effort to preserve them.
We cannot, of course, entirely recapture the way of life in the 1800’s,
nor probably would we want to, but it would seem that we could preserve
and keep that which was good and those methods which were efficient,
employed so long ago. I don’t think anyone wants to give up our
electric lights for the old oil lamps, nor indoor bathrooms for the
outside “privy” (notwithstanding hearsay that the outdoor “privy” was
quite pleasant on a balmy summer afternoon), but there are many things
which we can learn from the old people that certainly would make our
mode of living and our existence a bit more pleasant, tranquil and
serene.
Although it may cost a bit more to “post and beam” a house, a bit
more for a bow roof, or box returns, or dental work on the trim, I do
believe that many people would really prefer this type of construction
once they have seen it, and I do know that most people could afford
it. I will also go farther out on a limb and say that this type of
construction is actually cheaper in the long run, and the long run
means the lifetime of a house.
Plymouth is now embarking on a very ambitious program of rebuilding the
old “Plimouth Plantation”.
I do not think that we on the Cape can do another Williamsburg, nor
do I think that we should try to restore everything we find, but each
town could do a little bit each year toward setting aside some of its
historical treasures.
We have all kinds of beaches, public landing places, swimming pools,
both public and private, for the two-week visitor in the summer, all
kinds of dance halls and bowling alleys for their entertainment; but
what a great wealth of information, interest, and education could
be aroused through the restoration of some of the old buildings and
landmarks.
The Yarmouth Historical Society, like many other similar groups, has
been doing an excellent job. The Captain Bangs Hallett house has been
authentically repaired, restored, and reconstructed by and through the
Historical Society. Captain Bangs Hallett was one of the deep-water
sailors who commanded some of the well-known clipper ships, the
giants of the sea. This house is open to the public every afternoon
in the summer and reflects the way of living at that time of the more
well-to-do sea captains.
My idea is not to restore the Baxter Mill just as another museum which
would be filled with all kinds of ancient bric-a-brac, furniture,
glassware and curios for people to look at and pass by. My thought is
that we should restore and reconstruct this mill, holding to exact
authenticity, so that the final result would be exactly the same mill
with its fundamental mechanisms and its simple dignity, and turn out
the same products.
[Illustration]
VI
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