The Anchor to Windward

The Anchor to Windward

These days the headquarters for the Sag Harbor Historical Society (SHHS) at 174 Main Street is known as the Annie Cooper Boyd House after its famous resident artist, but Annie called it her lovely little "Anchor to Windward".  Why?

Mooring during threatening winds, experienced sailors cast an anchor to windward - the direction from which the wind is coming - in order to hold fast and keep from being dashed and destroyed upon the shore. An anchor to windward provides security and Annie found that security in this little cottage she inherited from her father. She wrote its name, "The Anchor to Windward", on a beam above the stairs on the inside of the porch and she even placed an anchor on the roof.

An anchor rests there to this day.