Register for the Architectural Fieldwork Symposium on Oct. 25
Please join us for a one-day architectural fieldwork symposium at MHT on October 25th, 9 AM to 4 PM. The symposium will provide anyone doing architectural fieldwork in Maryland an opportunity to connect, network, and hear about MHT's latest initiatives. Presentation topics include updates from the field, the women’s suffrage movement, the Green Book in Maryland, MHT’s architectural survey data analysis, and Mid-Century Modern resources.
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 Last Chance to Weigh In!
Thanks to everyone who's participated and provided feedback for the statewide preservation plan! Our general survey will close on October 5, so if you have not done so, please take a moment to register your thoughts here: http://mht.maryland.gov/plan.shtml
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Keeping Union Mills Homestead Active
By Courtney Hotchkiss, Administrator, Historic
Preservation Capital Grants Program
Nestled in the countryside of Westminster in Carroll County is a large, late 18th century brick building full of whirling and buzzing and “ohs” and “ahs.” The commotion at this otherwise docile place comes from the grist mill, which has been producing a variety of ground flours as it once did on a more regular basis until 1942 -- almost 150 years. The human sounds come from the captivated audience gazing at the swirling wooden gears of the Oliver Evans’ style mill, at the time the most modern mill technology. Before this style of mill came into use, milling grains was dirty, unsanitary and time-consuming work. The implementation of this mill improved operations, and its impressiveness comes from the intricate mechanics of the wheels, the water, and the large wooden gears working in unison initiated by a simple lever from the mill worker. Today, the mill provides tours to the public and to organized groups such as class field trips.
Union Mills in Carroll County
The grist mill is just a part of
the story of the Union Mills Homestead, an early example of industrial center
and self-contained community more commonly thought of today as an early
industrial park. Adjacent to the grist mill is a saw mill, inspiring the name “Union
Mills,” where the two mills produced and sold products to the growing town that
adopted the same name. While two brothers, David and Andrew Shriver, built the
mills in 1797, David soon sold his mill and Andrew eventually took over
operations. David didn’t go very far, however – he became the head of
construction of the Reisterstown Turnpike which lead right to the homestead.
Now better connected, the success of the mills spurred further development of a
tannery, a farm, and shops for a blacksmith and a copper worker. Additionally,
the first Rural Free Delivery route traversing through the homestead brought
more possibilities, as well as new people and visitors to the area. In the
1790’s Frederick County produced more wheat than anywhere in the U.S., and with
the new automated grist mill and new roads to connect to larger exporting
areas, the Union Mills Homestead became a hub of production, movement and
innovation.
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Union Mills - Interior
The
Maryland Historical Trust is excited to support the legacy of the Shriver Grist
mill through a Historic Preservation Capital grant. This grant will help
provide the funds to replace the flume that funnels water to power the restored
millworks, which is deteriorating, causing water to frequently splash on to the
foundation. MHT will work with the Union Mills Homestead and Carroll County to
find the right people to replace the flume in the most accurate and sensitive
way, as it is an important component of the millworks and the story of the
mill. A preservation easement also protects the grist mill and homestead for
future visitors to enjoy and to learn about some of Maryland’s industrial
history.
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