West Nantmeal Commission Stabilizes Grist Mill Remains

The remains of a small grist mill, located on Bollinger Road in West Nantmeal Township, have been uncovered and stabilized thanks to the efforts of the township's historical commission.

Members of the West Nantmeal Township Historical Commission and township residents, along with Tracy Talucci, owner of the property where the grist mill is located, gathered on Oct. 16 to celebrate the completion of the project. During the event, commission member Tom Currie also unveiled a sign at the location, which reads, "Lewis Grist Mill, 18th Century, Stabilized by Talucci Family and West Nantmeal Historic Commission."

"The crumbling wall was overgrown, and trees were growing in the center and (passersby) would have never known it was there," said commission member Kathy Duncan. "We had a had a bunch of (volunteers), and as we cleared the vines and the trees, it absolutely revealed itself."

Duncan thanked the township supervisors, the historical commission and members of the Talucci family for working together to restore the piece of local history. "We are so blessed to have a lot of (historic structures) standing in the township, one of which is the mill," she said.

Commission member Caryl Ann Cooper read a history of the site from the mill's perspective. "I stay busy both day and night with an abundance of wheat, corn and rye being brought in for grinding," she stated. "There is always lively talk among the neighbors as they meet at the mill."

According to a written history, the mill, which is located just west of the Bollinger bridge, received its power from the fast-running waters of Perkins Run. Cooper noted that in addition to grinding flour, the mill was used to press apples for cider and to grind corn into animal feed or cornmeal. The mill remained operational throughout the Revolutionary War and the Civil War but was utilized less as wagons were used to bring goods to the area.

"It is now 1898. As transportation improves, the need for me is dwindling," said Cooper as she continued to read the history from the mill's perspective. "As the years go by, trees sprout in my center and my walls start to crumble. Cars zip by without even noticing me. In April 2021 the West Nantmeal Township Historical Commission and the Talucci family decided to (preserve my remains.) My partial walls have been stabilized using the original stone."

"Our hope is that the stabilized mill will (remain a symbol of history) in the future," Cooper added.

According to http://www.westnantmealhc.org, the mission of the historical commission is to gather and maintain historical records for the township, to identify historical structures and encourage their preservation and restoration and to promote community awareness and appreciation for the historic nature of the area.

The group meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m. at the township building, 455 N. Manor Road, Elverson. New members are welcome.