Restoration.
. .
Since its
inception, the Mill Trust has raised over $1.6
million to restore the Mill and its surrounding
landscape, including prestigious grants from the
Save America’s Treasures Program of the National
Park Service, the Heritage Philadelphia Program
of The Pew Charitable Trusts, the William Penn
Foundation, and the Pennsylvania Historical and
Museum Commission, as well as significant local
support through West Pikeland Township. It is
the Mill Trust’s vision to create an innovative
historical attraction at the Mill at Anselma
that demonstrates through sensory experiences,
the evolution of technology and the impact of
change in commerce, free enterprise and
transportation on American life over three
centuries for schoolchildren, families,
scholars, visitors and local residents. A Site
Master Plan completed in 2001 has directed the
strategic development of the historic mill and
its surrounding buildings and landscape.
The Mill’s restoration began in 2001. For the
restoration of the mill’s structure and
machinery, the Mill Trust relied extensively on
the craftsmanship of James and Peter Kricker of
Rondout Woodworking, Inc. of Saugerties, New
York, as well as the knowledge and expertise of
historical molinologist Stephen J. Kindig who
reviewed plans and drawings throughout the
project. Prior to the machinery restoration,
Rondout Woodworking assessed the Mill’s
structure and made significant structural
repairs. Over one-half of the south roof plate,
which had rotted significantly, was replaced.
Collar ties were repaired using splices. To
reinforce two collar ties that had been cut to
accommodate the Mill’s machinery at some point
in the Mill’s history, Rondout forged wrought
iron straps, correcting the structural problem
without impacting the machinery.
In 2001, Rondout carefully removed the Mill’s
original, rather deteriorated master gear from
the Mill’s hurst frame and documented its
components. A white oak tree donated in 2000 by
a Mill Trust member was used to fabricate the
master gear and face gear. Hickory was used to
create new cogs for the master gear and face
gears, and rounds for the lantern gear and
wallowers. Because the oak required two years to
dry, the fabrication of the master gear and face
gear could not begin until Fall 2002. Once
fabricated, Rondout assembled the master gear at
the mill and then installed it on the shaft in
January 2003.
Rondout reconditioned the Mill’s Oliver
Evans-type elevators with new canvas belting and
cups based on the originals. They cleaned and
reconditioned the Mill’s grain cleaner, barrel
hoist, and reconstructed the barrel packer using
original components. The remarkably intact
bolter received new screening using synthetic
material. Hanford Mills Museum’s Robert Grassi
dressed the Mill’s feedstones during a very cold
week in January 2002. The Mill Trust filmed
Grassi demonstrating stone dressing techniques
for future educational programming.
In Fall 2003, the mill’s exterior was restored
with the central goal of preserving its raw and
weathered character. The exterior woodwork was
treated with cuprinol clear preservative, and
the masonry was repointed so that the new joints
would carefully blend with the existing mortar.
A new roof completed the restoration. In an
effort to enhance site security, a dry pipe
sprinkler system was installed in 2003 to
improve the mill’s fire protection. Unobtrusive
low voltage lighting now highlights the mill’s
historic features while improving visitor
safety. Finally, pathways, railings and a bridge
enhance visitor safety and improve wheelchair
accessibility at the Mill.
The Mill at Anselma Preservation and Educational
Trust marked the Mill at Anselma’s return to
operation on May 8, 2004 with its Water Wheel
Celebration. More than 1200 attended this
milestone event.
The
Water Wheel
Pottstown Metal Welding
Company, under the direction of Plant
Manager John Maillie and his staff, and with the
careful oversight of Mill Trust Board member and
project manager, Jack Brogan, along with the
well-respected molinologist (mill historian)
Stephen J. Kindig, prepared complete design
drawings to produce accurate replicas of the
welded "Fitz Water Wheel Assembly" and the "Fitz
Forebay and Chute Assembly". The designs were
copyrighted by the Mill Trust and represent the
only known true replicas in the
United States.

In the fall of 2001, the remnants
of the original water wheel and forebay were
removed from the Mill and brought to
Pottstown Metal’s shop where they would be
used as part of the replication process. The
original Fitz shaft and spokes were reused in
the restoration.

After test assembly at the shop,
the newly restored water wheel and forebay
arrived at the Mill on a flatbed truck, ready
for installation. Then came the trickiest part –
bringing the 600-pound forebay into the building
through the narrow tailrace where the water
exits the Mill.
In the midst of the oppressive
August heat, Pottstown Metal’s crew
managed to slowly maneuver the forebay into the
building with the help of a crane and a great
deal of manpower. Once the forebay was in
place, the water wheel’s shaft and spokes were
carefully installed.
The shape of the massive wheel
slowly emerged as the bucket segments were
attached to the spokes. Now completed and
freshly painted, the water wheel and forebay
await the restoration of the rest of the Mill’s
historic equipment by Rondout Woodworking.
The Mill Trust owes a debt of
gratitude to Jack Brogan and Stephen Kindig for
their oversight of this project, as well as to
the thoughtful suggestions and assistance from
Peter and Jim Kricker of Rondout Woodworking.
The crew at Pottstown Metal is to be
commended for their hard work and craftsmanship
shown throughout the project.
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