Plimoth Grist Mill
At our reproduction of the Plymouth Colonists’ original 1636 grain mill on Town Brook, take a fascinating look at the mill’s history and workings, from the 200-year-old millstones grinding corn to the ecology of the brook that has powered mills throughout the centuries.
Plimoth Grist Mill is a working mill and is proud to be part of a growing movement to localize grain production and rebuild regional grain economies. Take home some of our freshly stone-ground grains or order them online—it's a great (and delicious) way to support our local grain efforts. Plimoth Grist Mill grains are a taste to give thanks for!
What will I see at Plimoth Grist Mill?
Outside the mill, you’ll see how water diverted from Town Brook turns the the 14-foot diameter waterwheel that powers the mill.
Inside, on the grinding floor, you’ll see the 54-inch diameter bed and runner stones, and learn how they work together to mill or cut the corn into finer and finer pieces. Most Saturday afternoons are grinding days, and you can watch as the miller orchestrates the water wheel, gears, and stones to turn out delicious, fragrant cornmeal and sampe (a northern form of grits).
Downstairs, you’ll come face to face with the mill’s gears, including the massive face gear and the smaller wallower or lantern gear. Working together, these gears translate the vertical power of the water wheel to the horizontal power needed to turn the runner stone.
In the hands-on exhibit area, experiment with water power and simple machines, and learn about the river herring that migrate past the mill in the spring to spawn.
Our Millers fulfill actual orders for grits, cornmeal, flour, and other grains! Pause in our packing area to learn how the millstones grind different products and what can be cooked with them. And ask about the local farms where we get our grains and the restaurants in town that serve our products.
The Plimoth Grist Mill is located on Town Brook, the waterway that powers the mill. In the spring you might see herring swimming upstream to spawn. A short beautiful walk along Town Brook through Brewster Gardens leads to Plymouth’s waterfront, Plymouth Rock and Mayflower II. Burial Hill, site of the Pilgrim’s burial ground and first Fort, is a short walk from the mill as well.