Sleeping Beauty could NOT have Slept Here!
Although everyone wants to go to Mount Vernon to see our first President’s home, most do not realize people can visit some of Washington’s innovative business enterprises. Just a short jaunt from the mansion (Approx. 3 miles) is the reproduction of the General’s Gristmill and distillery which are both built on the original foundations. As you approach the Gristmill you will see a huge waterwheel—just like the one that was attached to Sleeping Beauty’s (aka Briar Rose) cottage in Disney’s film version of the fairy tale. As a young girl I dreamed of having that perfect little cozy lodge in the forest—little did I know that no one could have slept near one of those waterwheels. It is LOUD! I think it is also a MUST SEE at Mount Vernon.
One of the earliest U.S. patents was for Oliver Evans’ mechanized Gristmill. President Washington signed this third U.S. patent and was so impressed with the design, he immediately requested that one be built at Mount Vernon. The mill is literally “a multi-storied machine with a building around it” (Steve Bashore). The miller weighs the wheat or corn and then small, conveyor-type buckets carry it upstairs where it is cleaned in large bins. The grain comes back downstairs from the hoppers through channels leading to the mill stones which grind the grain. Another conveyor moves the flour/meal up to the top floor and, since the grinding makes it hot, it is cooled by a giant comb-like instrument which also moves it to a center chute that lets the finished product fall into barrels. These casks were shipped out from Washington’s wharf along the Potomac River. The whole entire system is run by the waterwheel. With its many different functions and the need for the teeth in the gears to be precisely calculated, it is fascinating to watch both wheat and corn go through this whole process simultaneously! Washington’s Gristmill is the only mill in the U.S. with an operating Oliver Evans system and, if you happen to be there on the first weekend of any month, you can see it in operation. Although Sleeping Beauty could never have really slept in such a mill, I think both tourists and Prince Charming would be fascinated with this early Industrial Revolution machine. P.S. If by any chance Steve Bashore is there, you will be in for a treat because I think he is the world’s greatest expert on the Oliver Evans’ Mill! NOTE: Next door to the Gristmill is Washington’s distillery. The General owned the largest whiskey distillery in American which produced nearly 11,000 gallons of rye whiskey in 1799.
May 21st, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Seeing the Gristmill at work is such a cool experience! It was unbelievable that the one waterwheel powered every gear and lever in the entire contraption. I am currently trying to talk my family into taking our summer vacation up to Mount Vernon. I'm doubting I'll have any progress considering the fact that I am the only Washington-nerd in the family, but it's worth a try. :]