Important History nestled in East Sandwich
Nye Pond is a spring-fed kettle pond that is a headwater of Scorton Creek that flows into Cape Cod Bay. In the mid 17th century, Nye Pond was selected as the site for a second grist mill in Sandwich. Benjamin Nye built a Mill and in 1669 a small dam to provide hydropower.
In the years that followed, a thriving village sprung up around the pond and mill. Benjamin Nye’s house remains as a Museum with the mission to preserve and protect “the historic buildings and grounds that (the Nyes) and their descendants built and developed. “ Along with the homestead, Nyes built three residences on the pond — which served as a tavern, a cobbler shop, and later (reputedly) a stop on the underground railroad to shuttle slaves between the port in Provincetown and Boston.
Preserve Nye Pond and Preserve History
1933 MA State Rebuilds the Dam
With the widening and straightening of Old County Road 90 years ago, a larger dam and culvert were built by the State. Channels were built to the State Fish Hatchery, the State Salmon Hatchery, the original Mill wasteway, and an undocumented out flow to an unknown destination.
After 70 years of deferred maintenance and neglect, the dam is in poor condition and must be fixed. Building a smaller dam that is more invasive and destructive to habitat is not the better solution.
Rebuild and restore the dam to the same level it has been for more than 350 years.