History Scout: Robertson's Windmill Flies!... Again! (2022)

Peering through fence slats at Robertson's Windmill, 2017

In 2015, I wrote a fun post about the successful re-lifting of the Colonial Williamsburg windmill back onto its post. I thought everything was concluded, good and dandy.

... SIKE! Seven years later, the saga continues with new twists and turns.

So, quick rewind if you don't feel like reading the past article. The windmill was originally constructed in 1957 behind the Peyton Randolph House along North England Street. In 2010, after over a decade of being out-of-order, it was moved in pieces to a lot between Great Hopes Plantation and the Visitors' Center. In September 2015, the windmill was finally put back together and made viewable to guests. Huzzah! It was expected to open and be workable in the following month.

Windmill flying! 2015

Now, onto newer history. In early 2016, the windmill had still not opened. It was reported the mechanics had needed a larger overhaul than expected, but it was now on track to open in a couple months. This opening also did not happen.

In 2017, Colonial Williamsburg announced it was in dire financial trouble, and could not keep going as it had been. In an effort to save money, many actions were taken, including shuttering the Great Hopes Plantation. The trades that took place there were moved into the Historic Area -- the carpenter's yard moved to the corner of Nicholson and Botetourt streets, while a farming plot was set up behind the Prentis Store.

Although Great Hopes had been a good depiction of colonial farm life, it had never been a huge draw. Being outside the Historic Area, just beyond the Visitor Center bus stop, it was out of the way from most visitors. The windmill was moved there to expand the farming interpretation, as well as visually draw guests to the farm. It was a good idea, and possibly could have worked if the Foundation's finances had been on better footing. When the site closed, the windmill lost its purpose for being there. It became a picturesque landmark only seen by guests taking the walking trail. Surrounded by fences, it was inaccessible for any closer looks.

Windmill in January 2022

Sign in January 2022 promising that "plans are underway
to develop the site for future visitor programming."
This same sign had been up since 2016-2017.

Jump to 2022. Colonial Williamsburg decided to move the windmill back into town. This time, on a plot of land on the corner of Francis Street and Bucktrout Lane. “It’s moving to a site where it’s going to see more use and maintenance and where visitors will have much greater access to it,” said Matt Webster, CW's executive director of Architectural Preservation and Research Department. On April 21, a crane lifted the mill portion off of its post again. A structural issue was discovered during disassembly, leading to a delay of further mill movement. Eventually, the issue was remedied, and the windmill made its move early in the morning on August 8!

Grounded windmill, May 2022

Here is a video of the mill house being driven down Duke of Gloucester Street:

And here is another one of it being lowered onto its post later that day:

Robertson's Windmill has now joined an exclusive club of Williamsburg buildings that have been moved around the Historic Area twice, including the Travis House and the John Galt House. It's more common than you might think!

Work continues on reassembling the windmill. Current plans for its future involve it being "passively interpreted through signage." It will be part of a new farming interpretation site "Ewing Field," named after the plot's 18th century owner, Ebenezer Ewing. A mini-Great Hopes Plantation, but just across the street from an established bus stop. It will definitely make this location more visible and accessible. I hope it will be a success. Third time's a charm, right?

Williamsburg Windmill, late August 2022

Great Hopes Plantation remains for now, its paths and fields overtaken by grass. Being outside the Historic Area and a modern creation to showcase rural colonial life, there's not much historic reason to preserve what is there. Colonial Williamsburg has been looking into options to reuse the land. In 2018, they applied for a 2-year permit to use the space as an outdoor event venue. I don't know of any event or concert that took place there during that period.

Great Hopes Plantation

Windmill's former footings left at Great Hopes Plantation
Late August 2022

The lime kiln I saw being constructed in 2015 was eventually completed. It was tested in January 2021, with the first fire with lime shell in April 2021. Kind of sad it is very out of the way. If the Great Hopes property does get reused, not sure what will happen with it.