Big stone mills,not hand cranked.Does anyone know type of stone used.

-- thanks (a@e.t), August 24, 1999

Answers

You mean grist stones? Its my understanding that most of the grist stones in this country are from France. They would use them as ballast on the trip to the States/Colonies. If you can find in print the book SOURCES ON FOLK MUSEUMS AND LIVING HISTORICAL FARMS by Ormend Loomis, 1977. This books lists all kinds of sources. If you are anywhere near a Living History Museum such as Plimoth Plantation, Ols Sturbridge Village, Colonia Williamsburg, etc., they will be able to tell you about the stones. A lot of the stones in this country have been passed around. I have a friend that had the remains of an old mill on their land, up in coastal Maine. They have them as a large stepping stone at the house doors. Also, in addition to acquiring the mills, you have to learn how to keep the stones sharp. There is a term for this, but I have forgotten it.

Taz

-- Taz (Tassie@aol.com), August 24, 1999.

Thanks ... We have a functional grist mill that was ised originally by the Confederacy during the War Between the States. It operated on water power then; on tractor engine power now.

The stone is called a Burhr Stone and, as Taz noted, it originated in France. As long as the stones never touch during the milling process, they don't need to be sharpened. If they touch, they have to be "picked" using a sharp instrument. (All this is according to my Dad who bought the mill many years ago.

There is a group called SPOOM (the Society for the Preservation of Old Mills) that, I think, has a web site.

Hope this helps.

-- Vic (Rdrunner@internetwork.net), August 24, 1999.

Link
-- Vic (Rdrunner@internetwork.net), August 24, 1999.