Kirby's Mill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Kirby's Mill
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 Location in Burlington County, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Medford, New Jersey |
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| Area | 1.5 acres (0.61 ha) |
| Built | 1778 |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000497 |
| Added to NRHP | August 12, 1971 |
Kirby's Mill is a very old and important grist mill located in Medford, Burlington County, New Jersey. It was first built in 1778 by Isaac Haines and his partners. The mill sits along the Southwest Branch of Rancocas Creek. It was the very last mill in New Jersey that operated as a business.
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History of Kirby's Mill
Early Days: 1700s and 1800s
A sawmill was built near the creek, and a brick house for the miller, called the Miller's House, was built around 1785. The grist mill was made bigger in 1830, becoming three stories tall. During this time, a blacksmith shop and a barn were also added.
In 1877, William S. Kirby bought the mill and all its buildings. He added a fourth floor to the grist mill. The old water wheel was replaced with special water turbines. These turbines were underwater, which meant the mill could run all year long and had more power.
The mill produced different types of flour, like wheat, buckwheat, and rye. It also made cornmeal and food for chickens. The sawmill made wood for building in the mid-Atlantic region until the early 1900s.
The 1900s and Beyond
The mill stopped making flour in the 1920s. In 1961, the gristmill started using electricity to power its machines. It continued to make food for farm animals until 1969.
On July 14, 2004, a big storm hit areas near the mill. Even though the mill and the land around it were covered in many feet of water, the building itself stayed strong. Engineers and experts checked the mill and said it only had small, cosmetic damage.
Every year, the Medford Historical Society holds fun events at Kirby's Mill. These include the annual Quilt Show and the popular Apple Festival. These events show off local artists, crafts, and historical items. Many people visit these festivals, with about 20,000 attendees in 2012. The Apple Festival is one of the most popular events in the area.
Restoring the Mill
Recently, work began to restore the Miller's House. The goal is to make it look like it did a long time ago. This means removing parts added in the 1930s and 1950s. They are also putting back old-style wood beams, windows, and decorations. The inside of the house is also being carefully restored. A new carriage house, built in an old style, has also been started on the mill's property.
Today, the Medford Historical Society owns Kirby's Mill. The mill is listed on the National Register of Historic Places in the United States. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
The society is working hard to restore the mill. It is part of a museum complex that also has a country store, a hat shop (called a milliner's shop), a print shop, a carpenter shop, a working blacksmith shop, and a sawmill. You can visit the museum during special events and on Sunday afternoons in the summer.
See also
