Brobst Mill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Brobst Mill
|
|
Brobst Mill, September 2013
|
|
 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Off Township 814 on Pine Creek, Albany Township, Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | c. 1780 |
| MPS | Gristmills in Berks County MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 90001613 |
| Added to NRHP | November 8, 1990 |
Brobst Mill is an old building in Albany Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania. It is a special kind of mill called a grist mill. A grist mill is a place where grain, like wheat or corn, is ground into flour. People used to bring their crops here to be turned into food.
What is Brobst Mill?
Brobst Mill was built around the year 1780. It is a two-and-a-half-story building. This means it has two full floors and a smaller half-floor, usually in the attic. The mill is made from strong stone and sturdy logs.
How Did the Mill Work?
To grind grain, mills like Brobst Mill needed power. This power often came from water. The property where Brobst Mill stands includes a special area called the "wheel pit." This is where a large water wheel would have been. Water from a nearby stream, Pine Creek, would flow through a channel called a "raceway." This water would turn the big wheel, which then powered the grinding stones inside the mill.
A Part of History
Brobst Mill was once part of a much bigger industrial area. This area was known as the Union Iron Works. This means there were other factories and workshops nearby that used iron. The mill helped support these businesses by processing food for the workers or for sale.
The mill worked for a very long time. It continued to grind grain for over 180 years! However, it stopped working in the 1960s. By then, new ways of processing food had become common.
A Historic Landmark
Because of its long history and importance, Brobst Mill was recognized as a special place. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. This list includes buildings and sites across the United States that are important to American history and culture. Being on this list helps protect the mill for future generations to learn from and enjoy.
