Kirby's Mill
Encyclopedia
Kirby's Mill is an historic grist mill in Medford, New Jersey. Originally known as Haines Mill, it was built in 1778 by Isaac Haines and partners along the Southwest Branch
of Rancocas Creek
. It was the last commercial operating mill in New Jersey.
was built along the creek, and an adjacent brick house, called the Miller's House, was built about 1785. The grist mill was enlarged to three stories about 1830. A blacksmith
shop and barn were also built during this period.
William S. Kirby purchased the mill complex in 1877 and added a fourth floor to the grist mill. The original water wheel
was replaced with water turbine
s, which provided more power and were submerged, permitting year-round operation.
The mill produced wheat
, buckwheat
and rye
flour, cornmeal
and chicken feed. The sawmill produced lumber for the mid-Atlantic region into the 20th century.
Kirby's Mill was relatively unaffected by a disastrous storm that struck upstream from the site in Medford, Medford Lakes, and Shamong Township
on July 14, 2004. While the mill, grounds, roadway and surrounding property were inundated under up to 12+ feet of water, the structure remained intact, with little to no noticeable and appreciable damage. Medford Township
, Burlington County, New Jersey State, and Federal Engineers, and Historic/Preservation Architects performed detailed surveys, and inspections to certify the building as safe, and only receiving "minor, cosmetic, or relatively inconspicuous" damage.
Kirby's Mill is currently owned by the Medford Historical Society. The mill has been entered in the National Register of Historic Places
in the United States
.
The society is working to restore the mill, which is part of a museum complex that includes a country store, milliner's shop, print shop
, carpenter shop, working blacksmith
shop and sawmill
. The museum is open during special events and on Sunday afternoons in the summer.
Southwest Branch Rancocas Creek
The Southwest Branch Rancocas Creek is a tributary of the South Branch Rancocas Creek in Burlington County, New Jersey in the United States.-See also:*List of rivers of New Jersey*North Branch Rancocas Creek*Rancocas Creek*South Branch Rancocas Creek...
of Rancocas Creek
Rancocas Creek
Rancocas Creek is a tributary of the Delaware River in southwestern New Jersey in the United States. The creek's main stem is long, with a North Branch of and a South Branch flowing...
. It was the last commercial operating mill in New Jersey.
18th and 19th centuries
A sawmillSawmill
A sawmill is a facility where logs are cut into boards.-Sawmill process:A sawmill's basic operation is much like those of hundreds of years ago; a log enters on one end and dimensional lumber exits on the other end....
was built along the creek, and an adjacent brick house, called the Miller's House, was built about 1785. The grist mill was enlarged to three stories about 1830. A blacksmith
Blacksmith
A blacksmith is a person who creates objects from wrought iron or steel by forging the metal; that is, by using tools to hammer, bend, and cut...
shop and barn were also built during this period.
William S. Kirby purchased the mill complex in 1877 and added a fourth floor to the grist mill. The original water wheel
Water wheel
A water wheel is a machine for converting the energy of free-flowing or falling water into useful forms of power. A water wheel consists of a large wooden or metal wheel, with a number of blades or buckets arranged on the outside rim forming the driving surface...
was replaced with water turbine
Water turbine
A water turbine is a rotary engine that takes energy from moving water.Water turbines were developed in the 19th century and were widely used for industrial power prior to electrical grids. Now they are mostly used for electric power generation. They harness a clean and renewable energy...
s, which provided more power and were submerged, permitting year-round operation.
The mill produced wheat
Wheat
Wheat is a cereal grain, originally from the Levant region of the Near East, but now cultivated worldwide. In 2007 world production of wheat was 607 million tons, making it the third most-produced cereal after maize and rice...
, buckwheat
Buckwheat
Buckwheat refers to a variety of plants in the dicot family Polygonaceae: the Eurasian genus Fagopyrum, the North American genus Eriogonum, and the Northern Hemisphere genus Fallopia. Either of the latter two may be referred to as "wild buckwheat"...
and rye
Rye
Rye is a grass grown extensively as a grain and as a forage crop. It is a member of the wheat tribe and is closely related to barley and wheat. Rye grain is used for flour, rye bread, rye beer, some whiskeys, some vodkas, and animal fodder...
flour, cornmeal
Cornmeal
Cornmeal is flour ground from dried maize or American corn. It is a common staple food, and is ground to fine, medium, and coarse consistencies. In the United States, the finely ground cornmeal is also referred to as cornflour. However, the word cornflour denotes cornstarch in recipes from the...
and chicken feed. The sawmill produced lumber for the mid-Atlantic region into the 20th century.
20th century
Flour production stopped in the 1920s. The gristmill was converted to electrical operation in 1961. Livestock feed was produced until 1969.Kirby's Mill was relatively unaffected by a disastrous storm that struck upstream from the site in Medford, Medford Lakes, and Shamong Township
Shamong Township, New Jersey
Shamong Township is a Township in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 6,462....
on July 14, 2004. While the mill, grounds, roadway and surrounding property were inundated under up to 12+ feet of water, the structure remained intact, with little to no noticeable and appreciable damage. Medford Township
Medford Township, New Jersey
Medford is a Township in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 22,253....
, Burlington County, New Jersey State, and Federal Engineers, and Historic/Preservation Architects performed detailed surveys, and inspections to certify the building as safe, and only receiving "minor, cosmetic, or relatively inconspicuous" damage.
Renovations
Recently, historic renovations to the Millers House have been started. These have been started to return the structure to its original, more historically correct design and appearance. Removal of 1930 as well as 1950 additions, the return to timber structural members, glazing, and decorative fixtures, as well as historic renovation of the interior are expected to be completed by 2009. Additionally, construction of a period style carriage house has been started on the Mill's grounds.Kirby's Mill is currently owned by the Medford Historical Society. The mill has been entered in the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
The society is working to restore the mill, which is part of a museum complex that includes a country store, milliner's shop, print shop
Print shop
Print shop may refer to:* Printer , someone providing commercial printing services* The Print Shop, a desktop publishing software...
, carpenter shop, working blacksmith
Blacksmith
A blacksmith is a person who creates objects from wrought iron or steel by forging the metal; that is, by using tools to hammer, bend, and cut...
shop and sawmill
Sawmill
A sawmill is a facility where logs are cut into boards.-Sawmill process:A sawmill's basic operation is much like those of hundreds of years ago; a log enters on one end and dimensional lumber exits on the other end....
. The museum is open during special events and on Sunday afternoons in the summer.