September 6th: Lecture Series - Mill Technology

Join us on Saturday, September 6th from 1:00 to 2:00 PM for a fascinating lecture on the inner workings of the Mill at Anselma. Led by our miller, David Rollenhagen, this presentation will explore the technical and engineering marvels behind the most complete known example of a custom grain mill in the United States. Discover how the Mill still operates on its original 1747 powertrain, and gain insight into the ingenuity that has kept it running for nearly three centuries. This is a unique opportunity to learn about historic technology in action—perfect for history buffs, engineering enthusiasts, and curious minds of all ages.

September 13th: Demo Day 

Join us at the Mill on Saturday, September 13th, for our monthly Demo Day! From 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, explore the Mill as it comes to life with demonstrations of the grinding process, just as it operated in the colonial era. The last tour begins at 3:00 PM. Mill demonstrations take place every second Saturday of the month from April through December.

🍎🍎🍎September 27th: Cider Fest 🍎🍎🍎

Following the tremendous success of the past two years, we’re excited to bring Cider Fest back to the Mill on Saturday, September 27th from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Rain date: October 4th). Join us for a full day of family-friendly fun, including live music, children’s games, face painting, raffles, and a fall-themed scavenger hunt around our scenic property. Enjoy delicious food and unique goods from local vendors, learn about the history of cider making, and take a tour of the historic Mill.

Admission: $10 for adults | $5 for children and seniors | Free for Mill members. Each admission includes a complimentary cup of cider or a fresh apple!

Celebrate the season with us at this favorite community tradition!

Weekend Mill Tours

Step into history and join us at The Mill at Anselma every Saturday from 10 am to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. to immerse yourself in the colonial-era milling process. And if you're craving some outdoor adventure, our nature trail awaits you daily, offering serene walks amidst nature's beauty from dawn to dusk.  

Check our website, Facebook, and Instagram pages for upcoming events. 

Preserving the Past: Visitor Center Roof Replacement Underway

Another exciting project is currently in progress at the Mill at Anselma: the replacement of the Visitor Center roof, made possible through funding from the America250PA grant program.

Earlier this summer, we purchased cedar roofing materials, chosen for their durability and historical authenticity, and this month the installation began. We are working with 18th Century Restorations, Inc., a team experienced in preserving and maintaining historic structures, to ensure the work is completed with care and attention to detail.

This project is an important step in preserving the integrity of our Visitor Center, which serves as the gateway for guests to experience the Mill and its history. Thanks to the support of the America250PA grant and the dedication of our restoration partners, we are able to carry out this vital work and prepare the site for generations of visitors to come.

Immaculata University Freshmen Lend a Hand During Welcome Week

As part of their annual Community Engagement Project during Welcome Week, freshman students from Immaculata University visited the Mill at Anselma this week. About 10 students came out and jumped right into the work—no complaints, just enthusiasm and teamwork!

Together, they tackled some important maintenance tasks: pulling weeds growing along the foundation walls, clearing the majority of weeds from the floor, and removing leaves, sticks, and debris from the foundation area. Their efforts helped keep the Mill safe, clean, and welcoming for visitors.

After the work was done, the students enjoyed a short tour of the Mill, learning about its history and operations, before heading home with Mill t-shirts as a small token of our appreciation.

We are so grateful for their energy, dedication, and willingness to dive in. This annual event continues to be a wonderful tradition, connecting young people with local history while making a tangible impact on the Mill’s preservation.

We’re always looking for volunteers! If you’d like to help preserve and maintain the Mill, press the button below:

History in the Making—With a Few Bumps Along the Way

On August 8th, 2025, we set out to make history at the Mill at Anselma by bringing our wheat grinding stones back to life for the first time since 1880. These stones, once used by 19th-century millers to produce fine flour for bread baking, were prepared to turn again on Friday, August 8th, a moment nearly 150 years in the making.

While our corn grinding stones are used regularly for flour production, this was to be the first time in modern operation that wheat stones would be producing flour, reconnecting us with the Mill’s full historic capacity. The anticipation was enormous, and we were thrilled to share this milestone with our community.

However, history reminded us that operating an 18th-century mill comes with challenges. Technical issues prevented us from completing the scheduled grind, and the milling had to pause, for now.

To ensure we can keep the mill running safely and authentically, we are awaiting a visit from a restoration expert who specializes in historic mills at the beginning of September. The diagnosis, repairs, and maintenance are essential—but also costly.

This experience is a reminder of both the incredible history we are preserving and the financial realities of maintaining such a rare and complex site. With your support, we can continue the work of keeping the mill in operation, ensuring that these stones will grind again soon and that future generations can experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of history in motion.

👉 Please consider supporting the Mill today. Your gift directly helps preserve our machinery, fund critical repairs, and keep history alive.

Harvest, Milling, and Cider at the Mill

September has always been one of the busiest months at the Mill at Anselma. For centuries, this was the time when local fields yielded their bounty, and farmers turned to the mill to prepare for the long winter ahead. Corn, wheat, and rye came in from nearby farms, with wagons lining up along Pickering Creek as the miller worked tirelessly from dawn until dusk. The month marked not just a harvest, but the start of a communal effort to ensure food security for the coming cold months.

Long before European settlers arrived, the Lenape people who lived throughout Chester County relied heavily on corn as a dietary staple. They planted and harvested maize in cycles that aligned with the seasons and used it to make hominy, breads, and porridges. This knowledge of cultivating and processing corn became foundational for early European colonists, who depended on both Indigenous agricultural practices and the grinding power of local mills. By the 18th century, mills like Anselma transformed harvested grain into flour and meal, tying the agricultural rhythms of the region to the mechanical ingenuity of milling.

By the late nineteenth century, the September harvest at Anselma expanded to include another seasonal staple: apples. When Oliver E. Collins acquired the mill in 1919, he refurbished an existing cider press and reintroduced cider-making as a central fall enterprise. Cider quickly became as important to the community as flour and cornmeal. Even during Prohibition, barrels of cider were a mainstay for farmers and families, carrying them through the winter months.

Today, when we gather for Cider Fest, we celebrate more than a beloved drink; we honor a legacy of resilience, community, and ingenuity. From the Lenape cornfields to the creaking grindstones of Anselma, September has always marked a time of harvest, milling, and preparation for the future.

Rent the Mill for your next event! 

The Mill at Anselma is a pristine 22-acre property that plays host to numerous attractions in addition to the historical buildings on site. The Mill is open for your next event, from weddings to graduation parties, as well as for filming and photography! Site rentals can be done through our website, where you can also choose from our list of caterers, photographers and vendors who specialize in making your event one to remember!

In addition to events, we offer private tours and different membership options for those looking to support our efforts here at the Mill at Anselma! Please check our website or come on down and meet us in person to secure your membership today! We are also eagerly searching for new enthusiastic volunteers and would love to have you join our team! Please reach out to us for more details regarding private tours, membership options, and volunteer work!

Check out the Junebug Weddings blog featuring The Mill at Anselma: Romantic Rosy and Rust Pennsylvania Wedding Inspiration at Anselma Mill

The newsletter was prepared by the Mill’s marketing and communications team.

Copyright © 2025. The Mill at Anselma Preservation and Educational Trust, Inc. All rights reserved.
Address:
The Mill at Anselma Preservation and Educational Trust, Inc.
1730 Conestoga Road
Chester Springs, PA 19425
610.827.1900
www.anselmamill.org