Painter-Bernatz Mill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Painter-Bernatz Mill
|
|
The mill in 2017
|
|
 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 200 N. Mill St. Decorah, Iowa |
|---|---|
| Built | 1851 |
| Built by | William Painter |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000816 |
| Added to NRHP | January 11, 1974 |
The Painter-Bernatz Mill, also known as the Old Stone Mill, is a really cool old building in Decorah, Iowa. It has a long and interesting history. This mill is special because it's the oldest building in Decorah!
Contents
The Old Stone Mill: A Look Back
The first part of the mill was built in 1851 by a man named William Painter. Over the next year or two, the mill was made even bigger. It was designed to use the power of water to grind grain.
How the Mill Worked
To power the mill, a special channel called a mill race was built. This channel carried water from a dam on the Upper Iowa River. The water flowed right under the building. There, it spun a big machine called a turbine. This turbine helped the mill do its work.
The Painter-Bernatz Mill was the very first of at least 15 mills that used the Upper Iowa River for power. The bottom two floors of the mill are made from strong, local stone called limestone.
The mill's roof changed over time. The original roof was a "hip roof." But sometime between 1874 and 1890, it was replaced with a "gable roof." This new roof gave the mill a much larger space upstairs.
From Water Power to Museum
For many years, the mill used water power. But in 1947, new technology arrived. Diesel engines took over from the water power. The mill kept grinding grain until 1964.
In 1971, the building found a new purpose. It became part of the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum. Today, the mill has exhibits that teach visitors about farming and industry. It's also a special spot within the Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area.
Why It's Special
The Painter-Bernatz Mill is an important piece of history. It's the oldest building still standing in Decorah. Because of its historical value, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. This means it's recognized as a very important historic site.
