There Are 6 Must-See Historic Landmarks In The Charming Town Of Sandwich, Massachusetts
By Melissa Mahoney|Published May 29, 2022
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Melissa Mahoney
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I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
As one of the original colonies, you can find historic sights in just about every city and town around the Bay State. Whether it’s the Freedom Trail in Boston which leads to 16 historic sites, the historical locations of Salem, and beyond, there are countless places of historical significance around the state. And if you find yourself on Cape Cod, there are several must-see historic landmarks in Sandwich, Massachusetts, a town that was first settled in 1637. Let’s have a look:
Located on the grounds of Heritage Museum & Gardens, the Old East Mill was originally built in Orleans in 1800. In 1967, it was dismantled, moved to Sandwich, and reassembled where it stands today. The mill's original purpose was to grind wheat, barley, rye, and corn and a salt grinder was later added. To learn more about the Old East Mill, visit the Heritage Museum & Gardens website.
Although it's been rebuilt since, the Sandwich Boardwalk was first built in 1875 by Gus Howland over Mill Creek in Sandwich. At 1,350 feet, a walk on this historic boardwalk provides scenic views as you venture to where it ends at the beach. Read our previous post to learn more about the Sandwich Boardwalk.
The Sandwich Town Hall was one of the first town halls built in the state. Constructed between 1833-1834, this Greek Revival-style building continues on as the town's seat of government today. Visit the Sandwich Historical Commission website to learn more.
Considered the oldest house in Massachusetts, the Wing Fort House was originally built in 1641 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Since it was built, it's been continuously owned by the same family. It's definitely worth a visit. You can learn more about Wing Fort House on the website.
The history of the town of Sandwich is deeply rooted in glass production and you can learn about much of this history at the Sandwich Glass Museum. The glass industry began in Sandwich in 1825, brought here by Deming Jarves who founded the Boston & Sandwich Glass Company. Master glassblowers were recruited from Boston as well as England and Ireland, and the town became a glass-making hub that boomed here until the 1920s. Learn more and plan your visit to the Sandwich Glass Museum by visiting the website.
This picturesque grist mill happens to be one of the most photographed places on the Cape. Dating back to the 17th century, Dexter's Grist Mill was restored in 1961 and is still used to produce organic cornmeal. You can learn more on the Sandwich, Massachusetts website.
Have you ever visited these historic landmarks in Sandwich, Massachusetts? What’s your favorite Bay State town to explore? Let us know in the comments!
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