Morgan Lewis Windmill: A Step Back in Time

Located in the parish of St. Andrew, Morgan Lewis Windmill is a beautifully preserved monument to Barbados's sugar-producing past. Standing atop Cherry Tree Hill, it offers visitors a fascinating historical experience and breathtaking panoramic views of the island's rugged east coast and the lush Scotland District. Built in 1727, it was one of over 500 windmills that once dotted the Barbadian landscape, grinding sugarcane to extract its juice. Morgan Lewis holds the distinction of being the last sugar mill to operate in Barbados, ceasing operations in 1947.In 1962, the mill was entrusted to the Barbados National Trust to preserve it as a museum. The mill's architecture bears a resemblance to Dutch windmills, a nod to the Dutch pioneers who introduced sugarcane cultivation and sugar manufacturing techniques to the Caribbean. The walls are constructed from boulders held together with egg whites and coral dust, a testament to the resourcefulness of builders before cement.Visitors can explore the inner workings of this structure and ascend to the top for views of the surrounding landscape. Inside, a museum showcases equipment used in the sugar-making process. During the crop season, February to July, the sails are put in place and operated one Sunday each month, grinding cane and providing cane juice.