Old Mill Museum (Dundee, Michigan) facts for kids
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Old Mill Museum
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 242 Toledo Street Dundee, Michigan |
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| Built | 1849 |
| Part of | Dundee Historic District (ID90001239) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Designated CP | August 20, 1990 |
The Old Mill Museum, also known as the Alfred Wilkerson Grist Mill, is a super old building in Dundee, Michigan. You can find it right next to the River Raisin at 242 Toledo Street.
This special place was named a Michigan Historic Site on August 3, 1979. Later, it became part of the Dundee Historic District. This district was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 20, 1990.
Contents
The Old Mill Museum: A Look Back in Time
The Old Mill Museum is thought to be the oldest and most important landmark in Dundee. It's the only part of the Dundee Historic District that sits across the river from the main downtown area.
Building the Mill and Dam
Even though the mill building itself was finished in 1849, the dam it sits on is even older! The first dam was built way back in 1827. It was rebuilt in 1846. This dam is the biggest of several dams along the River Raisin. Most of the others are in nearby Monroe.
From Grinding Grain to Making Power
At first, the Old Mill was a gristmill. This means it used the river's power to grind grain into flour. This was a big industry in Dundee back then.
Around 1910, the building changed. It started making electricity from the river's power. This was the only source of electricity for the village at that time.
Saved by Henry Ford
By 1934, the mill was very old and not being used. It was almost torn down! But then, Henry Ford, the famous car maker, bought it. He spent a lot of money to fix it up.
Ford added a small, one-story part to the side of the original three-story building. He turned the mill into a small factory. Here, they made welding tips for his car factories. Henry Ford often visited Dundee to check on his project. He wanted to see if small towns could be part of his huge global business.
New Owners and a New Purpose
After Henry Ford passed away in 1947, his company didn't keep the small factory going. In 1954, the building was sold to the Wolverine Manufacturing Company. They changed the mill again, this time to make paper products.
The Wolverine Manufacturing Company used the building until 1970. Then, they sold it to the village of Dundee for just $1! The village fixed up the building and the land around it. There are 13.8 acres (about 5.6 football fields) of land. They turned it into a public museum and park.
What You Can Do at the Old Mill Today
Today, the Old Mill Museum is a fun place to visit. You can learn about its long history.
The museum also offers special events. They have ghost tours and even paranormal investigations! If you're interested in spooky history, you might enjoy those. The Old Mill Museum is also where the yearly Old Mill ParaFest takes place.
