SPOCOTT WINDMILL NEWS
SPOCOTT WINDMILL FOUNDATION
Est., 1972
March, 2014
Windmill Update
It’s been a busy two years for us with continuing renovations to the windmill complex. The good news is that the Doctor’s Office has been moved and is in place. After a number of delays, we were finally able to move it to its new location between the Store/Museum and Schoolhouse.
The Blacksmith shop’s exterior has been repaired and painted. We are now attempting a complete overhaul of the Store and Museum. After repairing the roof, we are now painting and refurbishing the interior. Sen. George L. Radcliffe’s Office will be done by Earth Day, and we hope to have the Museum completed by October of this year.
We usually try to solicit donations with this newsletter, but we are doing things differently this year. We’ll be kicking off a capital fund raising campaign this summer. Funds are needed to finish the renovation of the Doctor’s Office, complete the painting and restoration of the Museum, and to make some badly needed repairs to the Miller’s House. This will finally put all the buildings into good shape. It has been years since we did a major fund raiser, and although we much appreciate our annual donations, these fall far short of the capital funds now needed. More information on this will follow in the upcoming months.
The Doctor’s Office Has Been Moved.
Thanks to a number of wonderful donations and a special bequest from the Walter Hill Foundation, we have been able to move the 19th Century Doctor’s Office, and the building is now firmly set on a solid foundation. Funds still exist to put a cedar shake roof on the building, but other renovations will need to await further funds. New siding, windows, and a handicapped ramp will be needed.
The move of the building was the idea of George M. Radcliffe. There was a doctor’s office in that general location in the mid-19th Century, and this building is of the same period. Dr. William Byus LeCompte, a cousin of John Anthony LeCompte Radcliffe, the builder of the windmill, had a doctor’s office near the location of the windmill as early as 1829.
Earth Day Celebration
The Windmill Foundation is once again combining forces with the Dorchester Citizens for Planned Growth (DCPG) to provide a day of environmental and historical celebration with the Spocott Windmill as a focus. From 10 – 4 on April 19th we’ll be running the windmill and helping celebrate Earth Day. In addition to the usual running of the mill and tours, our 3rd Earth Day celebration will include:
1) ongoing Native American demonstrations with Daniel Firehawk Abbott
2) a tree giveaway sponsored by the Dorchester Forestry Board
3) environmental and historical exhibits
4) the annual County Horseshoe Tournament
5) numerous activities for children
6) music and entertainment
Food, parking, restrooms, and a good time will be available for all.
In Memoriam
Augusta Radcliffe
1924 – 2014
On Jan 13, 2014, Augusta Radcliffe passed away at her son George’s home in Cambridge. She had lived with George and Jackie since her husband George’s death in 2009. Although she suffered from severe dementia in her later years, she will be remembered for her caring personality and devotion to family.