Water Powered Mills History Project January 11, 2009
Early Beginnings in America William Chadbourne, James Wall and John Goddard began to build the first water-powered saw mill and grist mill in New England on July 22, 1634.
Purposes 1. To use water as a source of power for grinding food such as corn. 2. To use water as a source of power for cutting logs into boards.
Mechanics Water travels over a wheel. The weight of the water turns the wheel. The wheel turns gears, belts, pulleys, and other things to perform a task.
Belts and pulleys used for tuning the grinding stones
Corn being slid down grain chute and dropped into the middle of the grinding stones. Grinding Stone removed for display.
Major Types of Mills Grist Mill Saw Mill
Clark’s Dells Mill located in rural Augusta, WI
Clark's Dells Mill A flour and feed mill dating to 1864, which is still in operation in a museum capacity, which sells fresh, mill-ground flour.
Produced by J. Hadorn