Littleton Grist Mill by danapommet
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Description
My camera is still in the repair and cleaning process but I did go and pull the chip from the camera. Back in the year 1797, a resident of Littleton, New Hampshire, Solomon Mann purchased the mill privilege on the Ammonoosuc River, built a dam and erected a saw mill and grist mill. The grist mill was state of the art for its day. The prime source of power was an overshot wheel, which turned mill stones, grain elevators and powered sifters. The mill building was 3 1/2 stories high and its foundation wall in essence formed the bank of the river. By the turn of the century, the riverfront mill area had become the nucleus of a prosperous settlement.
In 1997 two local families formed Renaissance Mills of Littleton LLC and undertook the restoration of the grist mill. The goal was to restore the basic workings of the grist mill as a historically accurate replica of the original, open the mill to the public as a working museum and authentically restore the other mill buildings as commercially viable retail and rental space, thus creating an 18th century riverfront complex.
Today the building sits on its original site, and the look and feel of the original construction has been maintained wherever possible. The exterior is clad in radically sawn spruce, the roof is hand-split cedar shakes; wide pine flooring on the three floors is fastened with wrought iron nails. All hardware used is hand forged as are the interior and exterior lanterns; the 55 foot chimney is replicated in used brick, and the interior walls are covered with a plaster skim coat.
The same careful research was applied to the replication of the working mill. The exterior undershot water wheel measures 20 feet 6 inches in diameter. The wheel drives interior wooden gearing in the basement which in turn drives a four foot diameter grist mill stone on the first floor of the building. The wooden gearing is made of indigenous woods typically used 200 years ago. The design of the gears and drives were guided by the metal hubs, bearings and shafting recovered from the mud in the mill basement. Other components were designed and made according to state of the art practices used 200 years ago. The wooden gearing, along with the attached shafts, are housed in a Hearst Frame made with timbers similar to some of the frame components found in the mill. With the exception of metal shafting and other metal components and hardware, all the design and construction was done in-house.
Littleton Grist Mill, restored by private funds, is open to the public free of charge as a working museum. The mill also houses an authentic 19th century grist mill which uses 24 inch stones to grind grain into Littleton Grist Mill grown products, waffle and pancake mixes and flours, which are sold in specialty shops locally and throughout the Northeast. Visitors to the mill can thus view the progression of grist mill technology from the 18th to the 19th century. Info from the Littleton Grist Mill web site. Photo taken July 4th. Zoom does work.
Thanks for stopping by, taking a look and for all your previous favs and comments. They are very much appreciated.
Dana
Comments (32)
0rest4wicked
An impressive undertaking! Great read Dad, enjoyed it a lot!
MagikUnicorn
Wonderful shot not much left on this world
eekdog
such a dying breed they are dana. super kewl, almost like these as much as lighthouses.
Faemike55
Fantastic capture and definitely a great read Thanks Dana
durleybeachbum
How good to hear about this successful project! There are many such in the UK too, always great to visit.Thankyou for sharing, Dana.
jocko500
did a good job here. photo is super
mgtcs
Amazing place my friend, splendid work!
jayfar
Sounds a great place to visit, these old water wheels always fascinate me. Nice shot Dana
Jean_C
Very interesting documents about this old mill, beautiful shot.
Katraz
I did a double take when I read the first two lines of your info I missed the full stop after camera. They've made a great job of the restoration It was a wonderful project.
rainbows
Wonderful restoration, Dear Dana. A fine capture here .Hugs for all day. Di. xx
jendellas
I love these old mills, superb info & capture. xx
whaleman
Nice shot Dana, and these are interesting places. I have always wondered just what 'grist' means so your photo prompted me to get off my butt and look it up and the word sources from older words related to 'grind' but it can also carry the meaning of 'raw material' or 'fodder' as in 'grist for the mill.'
pat40
Wonderful pic.
dakotabluemoon
I love old mills and this is a fantastic shot of it all.
Leije
Superb shot and very interesting infos, Dana !
sandra46
COOL CAPTURE
flavia49
wonderful image and info
Richardphotos
reminds me of a mill I visited in Kentucky.outstanding capture
MrsRatbag
Excellent capture and information!
goodoleboy
Well, that is certainly grist for the mill, if I must say so. Super clarity, color and detail in this shot, plus the highly detailed information below it, Dana.
Isabelle711
I love mills. :))))) The ones I have seen are amazing. They both are still working and they both offer such beauty. :))))))) Amazing capture my friend. :)))) Thank you for sharing all of the beauty you see. :)))) Carry A Smile In Your Heart :))))))
Flint_Hawk Online Now!
What a wonderful place & great photo!
kbrog
Excellent capture and info! :) A great green energy project. ;)
bobrgallegos
Wonderful capture and great info!!
KnightWolverine
These are dotted all across our State in various conditions...It would take a week or better just to see all that are in and around my current location if I was to take you on a tour...The ones that are still in functional order are the real nice ones that folks have banded together and restored...Some have designed Botanical Gardens around them and are most Beautiful throughout and depending on what season you chance to visit them....You captured a most wonderful one here Dana!...(smiles)...
dochtersions
Amazing, how great is this, Dana. What lovely color red, with that light on it, as also the water and stones are great in it. Haha, I yesterday also uploaded a grin mill. Such different from this beauty!
Jay-el-Jay
There is also a Littlton here in Colorado,so I was a bit confused at first.A nice shot of this reconstucted historic building in New Hampshire.
jif3d
Very neat restoration work, but I'm still trying to figure out what a 'grist' is ?...better Google that one, don't want to seem like a dummy ! LOL Well done & ~Cheers~
junge1
An interesting shot and very interesting information Dana!