Historic Boyd's Windmill to Turn at "Day in Paradise" Festival Sunday

Sunday afternoon's "Day in Paradise" will give Middletowners a rare glimpse of the Paradise Park Windmill harnessing the natural wind power that sweeps in from the Atlantic coast, along with hours of family fun among some of the town's most prized landmarks.

From noon to 4 pm at Paradise Park, the free family festival's main event will feature the activation and turning of the old Boyd's Wind Grist Mill, which happens annually at the event or other special occasions, along with activities and games for youngsters, food, and music. The windmill is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Also Sunday at 2pm, the Middletown Historical Society will announce the winners of the Photo Contest. The Grand Prize includes $100 plus a scholarship to a digital photography course of the winner's choice at the Newport Art Museum Minnie and Jimmy Coleman Center for Creative Studies. Second and Third place finishers will receive $75 and $50, respectively. All photo contest entrants receive free admission to the Newport Art Museum.

On or shortly after Monday, Sept. 13, the Middletown Historical Society will also feature the top three winners and their award-winning photography on their website.

"It's a great day," said Town Council member Theresa Santos, who's very active with the Historical Society and is not seeking re-election this year. "Most people in town never get to see the old windmill turning, and it's really something."

The town's Substance Abuse Task Force will be on hand to provide fun games and activities for children and Lou's Hot Dogs will sell their Brooklyn-inspired tasty hot dog, sausage, chili and cheese dog and knish specialties and Del's Lemonade will serve Rhode Island's favorite refreshment. Other offerings include face-painting, a petting zoo, and Johnny Cakes.

Rounding out the day will be the Lois Vaughn Trio, playing an eclectic mix of jazz.

This historic Boyd's Eight-vane Wind Grist Mill was fully restored, relocated to Paradise Park and officially dedicated in October of 2001. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. According to the Middletown Historical Society website, windmills represent an important part of Middletown's and the Island's technological history. Windmills have long been associated with Aquidneck Island since the 17th century. A windmill is portrayed on Middletown's official coat of arms which reflects on the importance attached to the windmill as a part of the town's rural heritage.

Boyd's Wind Grist Mill sits adjacent to Paradise School, a circa 1875 one-room schoolhouse restored for use as the Historical Society's headquarters. It is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The Middletown Historical Society is an all-volunteer, non-profit educational organization, founded in 1976, and chartered to promote the investigation of all aspects of Middletown, Rhode Island. For more information, email the Historical Society at projects@middletownhistory.org.