Kimlin Cider Mill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Kimlin Cider Mill
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The Mill in October 2015.
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | Cedar Avenue Poughkeepsie, New York |
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| NRHP reference No. | 03000020 |
| Added to NRHP | February 13, 2003 |
The Kimlin Cider Mill is a historic building in Poughkeepsie, New York. It sits on about two acres of land. The main part of the mill was once a barn from the mid-1800s. The Kimlin family, who came from Ireland in the 1850s, owned this land. They ran a farm here and started a business selling cider in the 1880s.
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History of the Kimlin Cider Mill
Early Days and Family Farm
The Kimlin family started their farm in the early 1850s. They grew apples and other crops. By the 1880s, they began making and selling apple cider. This made the farm a local favorite.
Expanding the Mill and Attractions
Between 1925 and 1935, Ralph R. Kimlin took over the business. He decided to make the old barn much bigger. He added a cider mill, a cafe, and even a museum room. This made the mill a fun place for visitors.
A Museum of Old Things
Ralph Kimlin filled the museum room with many interesting items. You could see old farm tools and stuffed animals. There were also Native American artifacts and other unique objects. He wanted people to enjoy their visit and learn about the past.
A Popular Local Spot
For most of the 1900s, the Kimlin Cider Mill was very popular. It sold fresh apple cider to people in the area. Many local schoolchildren and students from Vassar College loved to visit. Because of this, Ralph Kimlin made the building even more welcoming. He also created special indoor spaces for customers to enjoy.
The Mill's Park and Sheep
The land around the mill soon became like a park. Ralph Kimlin also kept a large group of sheep in the pasture. He hoped to keep alive the old farm traditions. These traditions were an important part of life in the area, but they were slowly disappearing.
Saving the Kimlin Cider Mill
The Kimlin Cider Mill closed its doors in 1990. But a group of citizens wanted to save it. This group, called "Cider Mill Friends of Open Space & Historic Preservation, Inc.", bought the mill and its land in 2008. They became a non-profit organization in 2001.
Mission to Protect History
The Cider Mill Friends work to protect old buildings and open spaces. They want to keep the history of Poughkeepsie alive. They do this by fixing up old places and speaking up for preservation. They also buy land to protect it.
National Recognition
Thanks to the Cider Mill Friends, the Kimlin Cider Mill is now very special. It is listed on both the New York State and National Registers of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as an important historic landmark. It is also a Town of Poughkeepsie Historic Landmark.
You can learn more about the Cider Mill Friends on their website.
