Bookmill facts for kids
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| Private | |
| Founder | Jim Murphy/ Allan Ross |
| Headquarters | , |
| Products | Books |
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Alvah Stone Mill
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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| Location | Montague, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1834 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Part of | Montague Center Historic District (ID01001236) |
| NRHP reference No. | 97000562 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | June 30, 1997 |
| Designated CP | November 16, 2001 |
The Bookmill is a really cool independent bookstore in Montague, Massachusetts. It's special because it's located inside an old building from 1834. This building used to be a grist mill, which is a mill that grinds grain. It's so historic that it's even listed as the Alvah Stone Mill on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Bookmill has a fun motto: "Books you don't need in a place you can't find." They also say they have "40,000 books and one waterfall." Imagine reading with the sound of a waterfall nearby! The Boston Globe newspaper once called it "a magnet for bibliophiles," which means it attracts people who love books. This is especially true for students from the nearby Five College area.
In 2005, The Boston Globe wrote a whole article about The Bookmill. The owner said, "We're not particularly convenient, we're not particularly efficient, but we're beautiful." The New York Times also praised the Bookmill. They said it has "the valley's most pristine ambiance for just plain readers." They loved the cafe there, too, especially the delicious baked goods and the amazing view of the river and trees.
A famous comedian named John Hodgman really likes The Bookmill. In an interview from 2013, he said it was "most dear to my heart." He described it as a used bookstore and a great cafe. He even said he would spend all his time there, even if they didn't have Wi-Fi (but they do!).
History of The Bookmill Building
The Bookmill is in one of the oldest industrial spots in Montague. People first noted it as a mill site on a map from 1764. The main part of the building you see today was built in 1834. Back then, it was a grist mill. It was rebuilt to also process wool. The building's foundation is even older, from the 1700s, and still shows parts of the old water power system.
In 1934, the mill became a machine shop. The Martin Machine Company used it until the 1980s. Then, in 1987, Jim Murphy and Allen Ross bought the property. They transformed it into The Bookmill we know today. They even added a deck where you can look out over the Sawmill River.
Over the years, other businesses have shared the building with The Bookmill. These included restaurants like The Blue Heron and other unique shops and cafes. The Sawmill River Arts Gallery, which features local artists, has been there for over 10 years! The Bookmill property changed owners a few times. David Lovelace and John Petrovato bought it in 1992. Then, Mark Beaubien took over in 1999.
