From 1999 to 2004, the Mill Trust raised over $1.7 million for the preservation of the Mill and its surrounding landscape, including grants from the prestigious Save America’s Treasures Program, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, the William Penn Foundation, The Pew Charitable Trusts’ Heritage Philadelphia Program, and generous local support from the West Pikeland Township Board of Supervisors. A Site Master Plan completed by Frens & Frens, LLC, Historic Architects, in 2001 directed the strategic development of the historic mill and its surrounding buildings and landscape.
The c. 1747 Mill
 The Mill’s restoration began in 2001 with the removal of the Mill’s highly deteriorated master gear from the original wooden hurst frame and the careful documentation of its components. Pottstown Welding Company then removed the Mill’s c. 1906 steel Fitz water wheel to prepare for its restoration.
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.
The entire Mill was jacked up several inches to bring it closer to its historic levels. 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.
 Rondout Woodworking replicated the Mill’s master gear and face gear using wood from a white oak tree donated in 2000 by a Mill Trust member. 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. Hickory was used to create new cogs for the master gear and face gears, and rounds for the lantern gear and wallowers.
Rondout Woodworking 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 and barrel hoist, and reconstructed the barrel packer using the original components. The remarkably intact bolter received new screening using synthetic material. Hanford Mills Museum’s Robert Grassi dressed the millstones 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 by Victorian Heritage Restorations so that the new joints would carefully blend with the existing mortar. A new roof completed the restoration. 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 Water Wheel Restoration
 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 replica drawings of a Fitz Water Wheel and Forebay 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 sandblasted to be 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 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 Mill’s restoration, including the water wheel restoration, was funded by the Save America’s Treasures Program, The Pew Charitable Trusts’ Heritage Philadelphia Program, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, the William Penn Foundation and West Pikeland Township.
The House, Barn, Springhouse & Chicken Coop
The Visitor Center
The site’s Wagon Barn, c. 1880, was adaptively reused as the site’s Visitor Center. Although most of the building is new, the barn’s original timber framing was reinforced and reused in its restoration. When visitors walk in the Visitor Center, they can still see the original wood plank ceiling, constructed from boards sawn at Oliver Collins’ saw mill in the 1920s or 30s. The Visitor Center project was funded largely by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and the Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau.
The Simmers-Collins House
 The Mill Trust also restored the site’s “Simmers-Collins House,” the home of the Mill’s last two owners and their families – Allen H. Simmers and Oliver E. Collins. The House was originally built in the early 1870s when John Oberholtzer was seriously injured freeing the Mill’s water wheel from ice, and subsequently left the milling business to focus on other commercial ventures at the site.
The House served as a home for the hired miller during the remainder of Oberholtzer’s ownership of the Mill. John Oberholtzer sold the Mill and house together in 1886.
In 1933, Mr. Collins added an addition to the house to serve as the Anselma Post Office, and then subsequently removed the addition in the 1960s so he could build a new one with modern plumbing. As characteristic of Mr. Collins, he kept the Post Office structure in the Mill’s dooryard, most likely to serve as a shed.
During the Conservation Trust’s restoration effort in the 1980s, they moved the post office to another location on the site. In 2004, the Mill Trust demolished the 1960s concrete block addition and opened up the original porch that had been closed in. The grade in front of the house was restored to its appearance in the 1930s. The post office was then returned to its original location. The Mill Trust now uses the first floor of the House for its office and upper floors for storage. The interior of the Post Office is not yet restored to its 1930s appearance.
 The Mill Trust maintains several Collins family artifacts, including the original family stove, in the Post Office for public view. The Simmers-Collins House project was funded largely by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and the Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau, as well as private donors.
The Spring House
The Spring House, which is probably as old, if not older than the Mill building, was restored in 2006 with a generous donation from Maurice and Dru Kring in memory of Arthur and Marguerite Kring. In the restoration, the water was pumped out of the building and the masonry was repointed where needed. The stone stairway was rebuilt to create safe access to the first floor. New joists and flooring were installed for the upper floor, and the roof and door were replaced. The spring house is opened periodically for special tours.
The Chicken Coop
During the restoration, a group of Mill volunteers headed by Earl Reese, rebuilt the early 20th century chicken coop in 2004 to maintain the site’s historic landscape and to provide a multi-purpose space to support site maintenance and program storage. In 2008-2009, the Chicken Coop has been remodeled to house the Mill’s expanding educational programs. Through a grant from the Russell P. and Elizabeth Crimian Heuer Foundation, the Mill Trust is creating an Education Lab in the Chicken Coop that teaches students and visitors about simple machines, the power of water, and the history of agriculture in Chester County.
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