Sunday, June 27, 2010

Taylor Mill Historic Site

Saturday we visited the Taylor Sawmill in Derry, NH.

The sawmill does demos the second and fourth Saturday of the month during the warmer months of the year (water levels permitting).

Small sawmills like these dotted the NH landscape in the mid-1800's. Situated along a river or stream that could be dammed, a sawmill would serve the need for timbers and planks for a local market.

The miller would also be farming, so the sawmill was a part time venture.

Looking down at the overshot waterwheel from the mill

By raising the gate controlling the water in the 10 acre pond above the mill, water flows over the wheel making it turn and providing power to the sawmill.


These workings, on the lower level of the mill, convert the power of the turning waterwheel into power to raise and lower the saw blade.


Logs were floated or moved by oxen to the sawmill. The bark would have been removed by hand.

Once a log was fastened to the frame, the miller uses controls to start or stop the saw blade.

The blade can cut at a rate of 50 - 60 up and down motions per minute. Sawdust was flying and the log moved fairly quickly.


The next date for cutting will be July 10, 2010. Stop by to check it out!

We noticed a few picnic tables, lots of people fishing, some dog walkers.

Beyond the 10 acre pond that's visible from the road, there is a 100 acre pond where I think there are walking trails. We didn't have time to explore that area. Perhaps next time!

For more information about the sawmill:
NH Division of Forests and Lands

8 comments:

Theresa said...

Very nice pictures and what a fun day! I've been to several mills around NE and I find them all extremely fascinating!

Acorn to Oak said...

That's really cool! Thanks for sharing it. :-)

Lois Evensen said...

Really, really neat. We love old mills, too, but the kind we generally visit mill wheat and other grains. Great pics!

Leigh said...

Great shots Sue. I think old mills are absolutely fascinating. We have an old grain mill in our county that is open to the public. We need to go again when they're doing a demonstration.

Dorothy said...

Lovely photos, it's good to see this mill is kept in working order.

Delighted Hands said...

Fascinating! We need such historic reminders; glad you could share it with us!

Sharon said...

Great pictures - thanks for taking us along. I enjoyed it but would rather have been with you. How wonderful that it's being preserved.

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