Restoration of the Francis Mill

A Preservation Partnership 2004-Present

The Francis Mill is a water-powered grist mill that was built circa 1887 by   William Francis. Still owned by his descendants, it is one of few grist mills still in existence in Haywood County. The mill remained in operation for nearly 90 years and to this day contains much of its original equipment, including overhead belts and pulleys, wooden gears as well as a set of French Burr stones for grinding wheat and a set of granite stones for grinding corn.

The structure was on the verge of collapse when the Francis Mill Preservation Society contacted HCN for assistance. The resulting partnership between Heritage Conservation Network (now called Adventures in Preservation) and the Francis Mill Preservation Society generated hundreds of volunteer hours at the mill during week-long hands-on building conservation workshops in 2004, 2005 and 2006. Today, the mill stands completely stable, fully enclosed and weathertight. Construction of the flume that brings water to the mill to turn the water wheel began at the Francis Mill in July 2006.

 

Several significant, and costly, tasks remained. Nonetheless the FMPS was committed to their goal of having the mill operational and open to the public in 2007, 120 years after it was built. HCN will continue to provide technical and logistical support to the FMPS.

 

2004 Workshop

In 2004, the primary task was to replace the heavily deteriorated east side sill beam in order to stabilize the building. Work also included documenting the sill beam to be replaced, creating measured drawings of the east side of the building and putting in five new posts. Participants spent hours cutting and chiseling mortises and tenons on the new beam and posts. Serious effort was required to put in those posts, and in the end a crane lifted the 26’ replacement sill beam into place, marking the highlight of two solid weeks of hard work to save the building.

 

2005 Workshop

 

The 2005 workshop focused on three main issues: the east side framing, the building’s siding, and the beam that supports the millstones. Participants repaired the support beams under the mill stones and installed new posts in the east wall framing. They made joist end repairs and installed new floor joists and floor planks for the machine room floor, matching the original size and locations. They then reinstalled old siding and battens on the south side, including securing old siding on the east end of the north side. Other work included restoration of fascia and eave molding on the south end of the east side cornice. The last major task was the layout and installation of new siding on the upper east wall.

2006 Workshop

In 2006, the emphasis was on finishing repairs to the mill building and beginning reconstruction of the flume. Volunteers were able to lay out and cut the bridge timber, which is the support for the mill stones; repair the summer beam supports; repair mortise and tenons in the north and west beams; install blocking boards on the west side; replace siding on the front of the mill; and begin to build the supports for the flume.

The original flume stood until the 1980s, when it collapsed under a heavy snow. The flume tower foundations were cleared, excavated and poured.
Five flume towers were completed.

2007 – The flume was rebuilt with funds from the Steele Reese Foundation. The FMPS’ “Bucket Up for the Wheel” campaign asked donors to contribute $100, the approximate cost per bucket, towards the purchase and installation of a new waterwheel.
The new wheel was installed by the Water Wheel Factory of Franklin, NC and FMPS volunteers. The wheel turned at the 2nd annual Music at the Mill celebration.

2008 – Millwright, John Lovette, sharpened stones, replaced belts and gave volunteers lessons in milling. The Francis Grist Mill became a working grist mill in April 2008. The 3rd Annual Music at the Mill was held in the fall of 2008.

2009 – The Francis Mill Preservation Society was awarded the “Gertrude S. Carraway Award of Merit” by the Historic Preservation Foundation of North Carolina and a grant by the Bethel Community Organization. The Francis Mill played host to school groups and held the 4th Annual Music at the Mill.

2010 – 2012 – FMPS continued to host school groups, visitors, Cars and Cornmeal, and Music at the Mill.

2013 – In May, the Francis Grist Mill was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

2014 – 2015 – FMPS continued to host school groups, visitors, Cars and Cornmeal, and Music at the Mill.

2016 – The flume which was built in 2007 had to be replaced due to decay.

2017- 2018 – FMPS continued to host school groups, visitors, Cars and Cornmeal, and Music at the Mill. The third wedding was held at the Francis Grist Mill.

2019 – The mill continued to welcome visitors from near and as far away as Czechoslovakia, host events and school groups.

 

2020 – Seth McCleary and his team at LIVE EDGE BUILDERS gave the mill some TLC as they replaced several rotten flume supports and the deteriorating door threshold. Due to Covid protocol an on-line concert was provided by Sadie Wicker and her blue grass band, “Possum on a Whale” for the 15th Annual Music at the Mill.

2021 – The Francis Mill Preservation Society geared back up fundraising for the 135-year-old mill in order to keep hosting mill events. The open car show, Cars and Cornmeal, held in May, attracted a record number of all kinds of cars. There were more than 45 cars and their owners in attendance.
In September, the 16th Annual Music at the Mill, was a fundraiser for the mill as well as flood victims from Haywood County.

2022 – May 21, 2022 was the date for the largest turnout for Cars and Cornmeal as more than 58 cars were in attendance.

September’s 17th Annual Music at the Mill was a deary rainy day however the Francis Mill had many old and new visitors drop by to enjoy bluegrass music by two local bands and local cloggers.

2023 – The Francis Grist Mill hosted two successful fundraising events.

2024 – Several workdays enabled volunteers to replace deteriorating cross pieces on the mill flume and begin work on damaged floor joists.  The 2024 “Cars and Cornmeal “and the ” 19th Annual Music at the Mill”  both proved to be enjoyable, worthwhile events.

 

Support for the Mill

Restoration of the Francis Mill has benefited tremendously from the support of the local community. Each year, FMPS members, community businesses and well-wishers donated lunches and supplies for the work crews as well as lumber and other building materials used for the restoration work itself.

The partnership with Heritage Conservation Network has been very successful. During the three workshops, a total of 100 volunteers contributed more than 6500 hours of labor in restoring the mill. That labor is valued at $650,000. An additional 150 volunteers provided everything from food to cranes. In-kind donations totaled more than $100,000.

Funding for restoration work at the Francis Mill has been provided by the Society for the Preservation of Old Mills (SPOOM), the Society for Industrial Archaeology, the Terence L. Mills Preservation Fund for North and South Carolina, the Haywood County Community Foundation, the JANIRVE Foundation, Steel Reese Foundation, James McClure Clark Foundation, Bethel Rural Community Foundation, Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, many individuals, local businesses, friends, and neighbors.

Learn more about the Francis Mill Preservation Society by visiting www.francismill.org. or to donate to the on going preservation of the Francis Grist Mill please send your tax-deductible donation to the Francis Mill Preservation Society, 14 Hugh Massie Rd, Waynesville, NC

** Please note the mill is open by appointment.  Call 828 456 6307 for more information.