Old Red Mill and Mill House facts for kids
|
Old Red Mill and Mill House
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Red Mill Dr., off VT 15, Jericho, Vermont |
|---|---|
| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) (original) 1.5 acres (0.61 ha) (size of increase) |
| Built | 1859 |
| Built by | Hutchinson, James |
| Architectural style | Vernacular mill, Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000113 (original) 76002245 (increase) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | July 31, 1972 |
| Boundary increase | June 3, 1976 |
The Old Red Mill and Mill House are a historic pair of buildings in Jericho, Vermont. They were built in the 1800s. The mill was once a busy place that ground grain. The house next to it is a great example of old-fashioned Gothic Revival style.
Today, the mill is a museum run by the Jericho Historical Society. It helps people learn about the area's past. Both the mill and the house are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important historical sites.
Contents
Discovering the Old Red Mill
The Old Red Mill is located in the village of Jericho. You can find it on the west side of town. It sits near the Browns River. This river was very important because it provided the power for the mill to work!
What Does the Mill Look Like?
The mill building has a strong foundation made of fieldstone. The first floor walls are also stone. Above that, the walls are made of wood covered with special red metal siding. The roof is gabled, meaning it has two sloping sides that meet at a ridge.
There's a square tower on one corner of the mill. A small shed-like room, called a wheelhouse, sticks out towards the river. This is where the water wheel would have been. The riverbank next to the mill is lined with a stone wall.
The Historic Mill House
Next to the mill is the mill house. It's a wooden house with one and a half stories. The main part of the house has a gabled roof with a dormer window sticking out. There are also two sections that extend to the back.
The house has pretty decorative wooden trim on its gable ends. The front porch has fancy turned posts and brackets. These details show off the Gothic Revival style of architecture.
History of the Mill and House
The mill was first built in 1856 by a man named James Hutchinson. It was built on a spot where a mill had probably been before. This spot was perfect because it had access to river power.
How the Mill Grew
In 1885, the mill was made much bigger by L.B. Howe. He added new, modern rollers for grinding grain. These rollers were very advanced for their time. The mill's products, like flour, were sent all over New England.
The Old Red Mill was a very important business for the community. It kept working for many years. However, it finally closed its doors in 1946.
The Mill Today
After it closed, the mill and house were given a new purpose. The local historical society took them over. They turned the buildings into a museum and a center for local history. Now, visitors can explore the mill and learn about its past. It's a great way to see how people lived and worked long ago!
