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| Vol 7, No. 2 | Fall 2011 | |
In May and June the Delta Mill Society worked with Master Miller Roland Tetrault to work out some small kinks in the milling system and to train three Delta Mill Society members, Moel Benoit, Art Shaw and Chris Wooding in milling techniques. The Delta Mill Society also worked with Wooding, a local farmer, to guarantee a season's worth of wheat. Then, out of the woodwork came local caterer Louise Richards who offered to bake bread with the stone-ground flour and have it available for sale at the mill. Everything seemed to fall into place and proved to be very successful: visitors to the mill this summer were able to pick up a fresh loaf of bread, watch grain being ground and purchase their very own bag of stone-ground flour. Plans are underway to be able to do the same next season.  The Delta Mill Society is working on putting together a much-anticipated temporary exhibit featuring flour bags for the 2012 season. Flour bags have been used to not only sell flour, but to clothe entire generations. The exhibit will feature flour bags from around the world as well as local flour bags both old and new. The exhibit will also showcase clothing made from this versatile textile. If you have any garments made from flour bags, or old flour bags themselves, we'd love to hear from you. Pictured here is a 1940s ad by American company Percy-Kent promoting their patterned bags to flour distributors. Since 1999, the Delta Mill Society has been showcasing the history of local industry in the Museum of Industrial Technology located in Delta's former town hall. In 2010, the Delta Mill Society added a roof to the front porch on the town hall building, improving the building's facade and preventing any further deterioration to the building's brickwork. In order to continue with facility and exhibit upgrades, the Museum of Industrial Technology closed temporarily on September 6th. Immediate improvements will include sanding and refinishing the floors, painting the walls and restoring the tin ceiling and stage. Upon re-opening in the spring, the Old Town Hall will be used for temporary displays, museum events and programs, as a community facility and, of course, as Delta's public washroom and tourist information centre. In the meantime, the Delta Mill Society aims to pursue funding for improved building accessibility and to develop an interpretive design plan for the eventual reopening of the Museum of Industrial Technology with interactive exhibits. by Angelique Pelka
Driving to Delta on my first day of work at the Old Stone Mill, I couldn't help but wonder: what have I signed up for? Branching out from my limited community was a scary concept; I was going to be outside of the "Queen's Bubble"! I couldn't have been more surprised with the outcome of my summer employment. Anyone who steps into the Delta Mill is instantly aware of its beauty and its past. Reading the eight books required on Delta and the Mill's history was a chore but by the end of the summer it was a hobby and a joy. The passion exhibited by the Curators, the volunteers, and the citizens of the town is infectious - you can't help but fall in love with Delta. Things seem to move at a slower pace around here but that is part of the charm. Individuals aren't too busy to care about the people and the places in Delta including the Old Stone Mill. Various times throughout the summer- including every Saturday at 10am - I witnessed people supporting the Mill by taking part in its initiatives (not to mention taking part in tasting the delicious bread)! I am so thankful for my summer working at the Old Stone Mill. As a Graduate student in history it makes me so happy that individuals, young and old, still have such an interest in the past. As a human being, it makes me so proud to have been included in a community, if only for a summer, which has worked tirelessly to preserve local history for future generations. This has been a wonderful summer. Thank you to everyone in Delta for being so warm and welcoming! by Megan Lawson Oliver Evans' The Young Mill-Wright and Miller's Guide was published in 1795 and revolutionized the milling industry. The "automatic milling process" was influential in the construction of the Old Stone Mill in 1810. But who was Oliver Evans and what happened after he published his book in 1795? Born in Delaware in 1755, Oliver Evans started his career as an apprentice wagon maker and wheelwright. After the American Revolutionary War, Evans moved to Maryland with his brothers and together they ran a mill and a village store. At the age of 22, Evans designed his first invention, a machine that made card teeth for carding wool. By 1790, Evans finished his design for an automatic milling process and was granted a patent, the third patent ever granted by the United States Government. It was during this time that Evans spent a great deal of time working on his patents, patent extensions, and the enforcement of his patents. Throughout his career, Evans fought a battle to collect royalties on his patents, as millers profited from the creation of his machinery. The battle over these patents ended in 1819 when a judge ruled that patents infringed on the rights of the public. Following the ruling Evans burned all papers relating to his inventions and petitioned Congress for an extension to his patents, one battle that he would eventually win. As an inventor, Oliver Evans created the high-pressure steam engine (1790) and the first continuous production line (1784). In 1805, Evan used his steam engine to power his Orukter Amphibolos, the first self-propelled land vehicle in America. The Orukter Amphibolos was a 5hp steam engine scow that was used to dredge the Delaware River dock area. The vehicle moved over land on wheels and through the water by means of paddle wheel. The successful use of high-powered steam engines allowed Evans to establish the Mars Iron Works in Philadelphia in 1806. Under his guidance, the company produced steam engines to power saw mills, flour mills and cotton gins. Notable customers who purchased steam engines from Evans included George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Evans continued to design new inventions including a refrigeration machine, which ran off vapours, and a propelled land carriage, an early design of the railroad. The Mars Iron Works came to a tragic end in 1819 when a disgruntled apprentice burned down the shop destroying plans and moulds. Away on business in New York City, Evans suffered a deadly stroke a few days after the fire. He was buried at Trinity Cemetery in New York. Oliver Evans and his inventions have had a long lasting impact and thus he has been honoured for his contributions. During World War II the United States Navy named a liberty ship, the SS Oliver Evans in his honour. The Old Stone Mill continues to preserve the legacy of Oliver Evans through the restoration and installation of the automatic milling technology. As reported in our Spring/Summer Newsletter, The Delta Mill Society was considering a membership fee increase to reflect increases in costs, and the fact that it had not increased in over twenty years. The membership was asked to pass a motion increasing annual membership fees from $5 to $20 at the June 14th Annual General Meeting. The vote was passed unanimously. Memberships are available year-round, but expire annually on June 1st. Member benefits include our bi-annual newsletter, discounts on select gift shop items, invitations to special events and discounts on workshops. Thank you for your continued support! by Anna Greenhorn
What do you get in return for the time you spend? Well, the rewards are just as varied, and far more satisfying than you can imagine: close bonds developed with new friends, involvement in the community, meeting challenges, learning new skills, personal satisfaction, joy and laughter, and keeping mind and body alert. However, perhaps the greatest benefit of all is at the end of the day, you have made a difference in your community and the lives of those around you. "To the world you might be just one person, but to one person, you might be the world". As reported in our Spring/Summer Newsletter, The Delta Mill Society was considering a membership fee increase to reflect increases in costs, and the fact that it had not increased in over twenty years. The membership was asked to pass a motion increasing annual membership fees from $5 to $20 at the June 14th Annual General Meeting. The vote was passed unanimously. Memberships are available year-round, but expire annually on June 1st. Member benefits include our bi-annual newsletter, discounts on select gift shop items, invitations to special events and discounts on workshops. Thank you for your continued support! For twenty years, dedicated volunteers travelled to Brockville to raise funds for the Delta Mill Society by operating bingos. In June the bingo hall closed ending this source of revenue. At its peak, the bingos brought in over $35,000 annually, but that number has been on a steady decline, bringing in only $10,000 in 2010. Despite low player turn-out, changes in bingo hall management and declining returns, volunteers continued their commitment to the mill. Special mention goes out to Anna Greenhorn, Mary Byrd, and Evelyn Saunders who were there for both the first and last bingos and almost every bingo in between, and to Mary Freiday who volunteered for many years and also served on the Bingo Executive. The Delta Mill Society would like to extend a sincere thanks to all the volunteers who have worked bingos; it is because of your commitment and hard work that the Old Stone Mill National Historic Site is what it is today. To recognize this very special commitment, a special panel on the Mill's donor board will be dedicated to our bingo volunteers. THANK YOU! Ian Johnson was a director, member, worker, and representative of many organizations, all contributing towards the betterment of social and economic conditions. His ability to connect diverse groups and utilize their complementary interests enhanced the work of each one, and helped introduce the Rideau Lakes area to a wider world. He was welcomed and valued as a member of the Delta Mill Society, where his enthusiasm, vision and tireless work were crucial in the restoration and operation of the Mill. Ian passed away in July. He will be deeply missed. Delta Mill Society treasurer, Ruth Sheridan-Griffiths was named Citizen of the Year at this year's Delta Agricultural Fair. Ruth is involved in a number of local organizations, not the least of which is the Delta Mill Society! |
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Box 172, Delta, Ontario K0E 1G0. Tel: 613-928-2584 (office) Email: info@deltamill.org |
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