Brayton Grist Mill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Brayton Grist Mill
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | Mashamoquet Brook State Park, Pomfret, Connecticut |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1890 |
| NRHP reference No. | 86001257 |
| Added to NRHP | June 13, 1986 |
The Brayton Grist Mill is a very old building in Pomfret, Connecticut. It sits next to Mashamoquet Brook. This historic mill is found at the entrance to Mashamoquet Brook State Park.
A "grist mill" is a place where grain, like corn or wheat, is ground into flour. The Brayton Grist Mill was built around 1890. It is one of the best examples of a 19th-century rural mill in Connecticut. In 1986, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is an important historical site. Today, the Pomfret Historical Society takes care of the mill. They have restored it and call it the Marcy Blacksmith Museum. You can visit it by making an appointment.
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What is the Brayton Grist Mill?
The Brayton Grist Mill is in the middle of Pomfret, Connecticut. It is on the west side of the road leading into Mashamoquet Brook State Park. The mill is a four-story building made of wood. It has a pointed roof and its outside walls are covered with clapboards.
How the Mill Worked
Inside the mill, there is special equipment that helped it grind grain. In the basement, there is a 19th-century turbine. A turbine is like a water wheel that spins very fast. This turbine was powered by water from the brook.
On the second floor, there are gears. These gears helped slow down the turbine's power. This made the machinery work at the right speed. The third floor holds the actual milling equipment. This equipment was designed in 1888 and 1890. Today, this floor also displays old tools used by blacksmiths.
History of the Brayton Grist Mill
William Brayton built this mill around 1890. He used materials from older mills that were already on this spot. The Brayton Grist Mill is the last mill left in this area. Many mills used to be along Mashamoquet Brook.
William Brayton passed away in 1928. Two years later, in 1930, the state bought the property. They bought it to make Mashamoquet Brook State Park bigger. The mill has been preserved so people can learn about its history.
See also
