The Morgan Lewis Mill in Barbados was used for sugar production several hundred years ago. Today it is one of the few Caribbean windmills still intact and functions as a historical monument and museum.
The Morgan Lewis Mill on the Caribbean island of Barbados is one of the only two intact and restored windmills for the production of sugar in the Caribbean. The second is on Antigua and is called "Betty's Hope".
The Barbados National Trust takes care of the preservation of this unique historical building. Since 1962, the mill has housed a museum where the equipment used to extract sugar by wind power and photographs from the past can be viewed.
Sugar extraction as it was back then in the Barbados windmill
Despite several renovations, Morgan Lewis Mill has remained as original as possible. You can see that the old plantation house has seen better days, but it is definitely worth a visit! The walls were built of quarry stone held together with a mixture of egg white and coral powder; there was no cement back then. The Morgan Lewis Mill's resemblance to Dutch windmills comes from the Dutch settlers who were pioneers in sugar production. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Barbados was the most important island in the Caribbean for its colonial power, Great Britain, as a major supplier of sugar.
The mill operated until 1947, and resumed operation in 1999 after a major renovation of the original machinery with financial support from the American Express and several national and international sponsors. After more than 50 years, the Morgan Lewis Mill was able to grind again. During the months of December to April, the use of this equipment in the demonstration grinding of sugar cane. Don't miss out on trying the delicious sugar cane juice!
