After decades of neglect, the great wheel and all the internal parts have been repaired and replaced by our talented millwright, Ben Hassett, and last Sunday, October 18th, water was released from the millpond through the sluice and the great wheel, creaking and groaning, began to turn again. The fieldstone building that supports the wheel and houses the machinery, still solid although it is 150 years old, welcomed a group of neighbors and friends and supporters of the conservation not-for-profit, Riverfields, which holds the easements for the mill and Wolf Pen Mill Farm—one of the homes of my heart!—listened as we told the story of the three-year-long project of repairing and rebuilding. Golden yellow corn meal, ground from organic corn (the only non GMO corn in the state) filled seventy two-pound cotton bags printed with the logo of the mill that its earlier owner, Eva Lee Smith Cooper, designed when she ground corn for the dinners on the old L&N Railroad. I hope the cornmeal will turn into cornbread and hush puppies and muffins in kitchens all over the neighborhood.
I was too busy will people to shoot the wheel turning, but later I walked on the farm and took pictures of its autumn beauty. This is a sacred place. Generations of the Cooper family (many of them present for the first grind) preserved and loved it; neighbors have walked and picnicked there for years—one of the dramatic memories of my childhood is Mrs. Cooper with a shotgun at an upper window, telling my father in no uncertain terms to get off her land. In spite of that, I rode horseback on the farm all during my growing up; and now it may be that, once we have restored the big black barn, horses will be on the place again.
Sacred places deserve to be protected. Over the years, trespassers and guests who were not able to appreciate the place have been common, but even more common, the guests who can appreciate both the farm’s past and its future. Protected by conservation easements, the 420 acres can never been torn up and turned into the throughways, hideous strip malls and soulless subdivisions that surround it on every side.
That is, if the good angels are watching…
Great, good gift! Thank you, Sallie.
Lovely
What a beautiful project,
This is wonderful! Such a beautiful place! Thank you!
Sallie, what a special treat. We so enjoyed seeing the mill in action last Sunday! Fantastic!
What a fun project! Glad there was a crowd there to cheer when everything began to flow. Nice to be able to bring a piece of the past for the present to enjoy, and give it a new future.
You mention guests – is this open to the public to see or stay at? Don’t have a clear picture of whether this is a private home estate or a public display of restoration? Whatever it’s purpose, it’s gratifying that you were able to recreate a treasure of another era.
I do so admire your passion to keep on finding new projects that make every day special for you.
think, sturbridge village
I found the answer to my question on your past blogs re this very subject. I found that it is in Kentucky, fairly near when I am from in southern IN CMJ
Bravo! What a special project that connects past and present in this unique location. You’ve created a wonderful resource for the people of Louisville. Another example of your creative vision!
Great save for the future! Thank you.
I second Ward B’s post. Thank you sallie…and after visiting Rough Point am looking forward to your book on D.Duke
doing good
Wow! I’m so excited to here that the mill is running again! From the time I was about 8 or 9 until I was about 14, my father, my step mother and my three sisters lived in the white farm house at the beginning of the drive before you get to the mill. Rob Cooper was a family friend and business associate of my father’s. I have so many fond memories of playing in the creek and wandering the Cooper’s property. We have so many pictures that my father (an amateur photographer) took of the four of us girls. I hope I can see it running myself some time. How wonderful that would be!
Congratulations Sallie ! Such a great idea to restore this beautiful and magical place. I remember it well.
Best to you,
Nancy Belle Fuller
Hello,
I tried to use the contact form but it isn’t appearing to work correctly.
I was at a dinner last night and someone told me about the wonderful restoration of the gristmill that you have done. I own an organic milling company where we stone mill organic grains for local chefs and a bread share program. Our goal is to increase the consumption and production of organic grains in Kentucky. I can’t tell you how excited farmers are to convert their land to organic crops. We currently stone mill wheat, grits and other grains. Feel free to check out our website Louismill.com for more information about what we are doing. I would really love to share and talk to you more about your adventure.
Thanks
Tom
Tom Edwards
502-439-0528
t.edwards@me.com
That’s wonderful! (Have you ever been to the Cleveland Roller Mill in Cleveland, NM? It’s a late example of a flour mill — 1907 or thereabouts — but it’s been restored, and every year they run it during the Cleveland Millfest on Labor Day Weekend. Worth the trip!)