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Hewitt’s Sawmill and Dam – Patriot Nightwatch
June 27, 2020 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
On the Saturday before the 4th of July, the Florida Agricultural Museum is host to a special presentation at the archeological site of Hewitt’s Sawmill (across the road from the museum). It is a time set aside to honor John Hewitt, master carpenter who, in 1770, built a water-powered “flutter wheel” saw mill with a reciprocating blade capable of cutting 1,500 board feet of lumber each day.
This became critical to the growth of St. Augustine. As the American Revolution began, over 20,000 Loyalists migrated to Florida for protection. It would be Hewitt’s mill that would supply the lumber to build housing for the influx of people.
While the site has no mill, Spanish and East Florida Rangers host visitors for a bit of history. Guests should call the Florida Agriculture Museum for Reservations.