Visit the historic Stover Mill in Erwinna, between 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4, when the Tinicum Civic Association holds a free open house.
Guides will be on hand to describe the building and former milling operations.
Guest Speaker Jeffrey Marshall will discuss his recent research on the original property lines detailed in his “1798 Map of Tinicum.” In a second presentation, Marshall will discuss “The Importance of Grist Mills to the Community.”
Author of six books on historic preservation and land protection, four decades with the Heritage Conservancy with 10 years as president, Marshall has been recognized with the Bucks County Preservation Legacy Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, F. Otto Haas Award, and was the 2015 Ambassador of Bucks County.
He has been recognized on the national, state and local levels. He has served as president of several preservation organizations.
The 190-year-old Stover Mill, located at 852 River Road (Route 32), is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is noteworthy among water-powered mills of this region for both its daring placement on a waterway as powerful as the Delaware River and for the amount of original mill machinery that remains in place.
The mill played a vital role in the area’s economy between 1832 and 1932. During these 100 years, the Stover Mill harnessed the power of the Delaware River to drive two metal turbines that ran machinery for milling wheat and corn, sawed timbers and even, thanks to the initiative of mill owner John J. Stover, provided electricity to the village of Erwinna in the early part of the 20th century.
The mill underwent a major restoration of the supporting framework and basement level during the winter of 2011-2012.
With most of the mill machinery still in place, the Stover Mill today offers a special look back at local history. All four floors of the mill are open to the public during the open house. Visitors will see everything from the power take-off gears in the basement, to the four sets of millstones on the first floor, to the flour sifters on the third floor.
Visitors can see a variety of historic maps and photographs, talk to local historic preservation specialists and enjoy scenic views of the Delaware River from the rear Dutch doors on the first and third floors.
In 1955, John J. Stover, grandson of the builder Henry Stover, donated the mill to the Tinicum Civic Association.
On other weekends from April through October, the first floor of the mill serves as an art gallery with changing exhibits. Admission is free.
The Stover Mill Open House coincides with Riverfest in Frenchtown, N.J. Visit online for information.
For information about the TCA, the gallery or the open house, call 610-294-9420.
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