The currently operating sash-type sawmill (up and down or reciprocating motion versus a spinning circular blade) with its horizontal iron water turbine and gears dates from about 1870, but there were sawmills on the site at Lee's Brook Pond in Ledyard, CT long before then. There were references to a mill pond here from as early as the 1740s. A sawmill belonging to Nathaniel Brown II and Increase B. Stoddard stood on this site in the late 1790s. The mill was never a large commercial venture supplying lumber to distant cities as found in the mill towns of northern New England. Rather it was a country mill, serving the farms and settlements within a convenient hauling distance by horse and wagon. Most likely, the early mills on this site had a vertical wooden water wheel to drive the machinery, although it is not known whether the wheel was an over- or under-shot type. However, there are some unconfirmed references to it originally being a flutter-type mill (like a paddle boat wheel which was driven by water flowing beneath it). Flutter wheels operate at higher revolutions per minute with low water heads than do a large, classic vertical wheels. Water wheels have the disadvantage of freezing in winter, making them only seasonal sources of power.
THe mill ceased operation in the late 1930's and sat derelict for many years. In conjunction with the national bicentennial in 1976, a group of volunteers restored the mill to operating conditions and rebuilt the blacksmith shop. SInce then the mill has been operated by volunteer staff who share a passion and interest in old technologies.
Historic photos, explanations of how the sawthe saw's maintenance, a discussion of the properties of wood,. along with many other details can be viewed http://sites.google.com/site/ledyardsawmill/
The currently operating sash-type sawmill (up and down or reciprocating motion versus a spinning circular blade)) with its horizontal iron water turbine and gears dates from about 1870, but there were sawmills on the site at Lee's Brook Pond in Ledyard, CT long before then. There were references to a mill pond here from as early as the 1740s. A sawmill belonging to Nathaniel Brown II and Increase B. Stoddard stood on this site in the late 1790s. The mill was never a large commercial venture supplying lumber to distant cities as found in the mill towns of northern New England. Rather it was a country mill, serving the farms and settlements within a convenient hauling distance by horse and wagon. Most likely, the early mills on this site had a vertical wooden water wheel to drive the machinery, although it is not known whether the wheel was an over- or under-shot type. However, there are some unconfirmed references to it originally being a flutter-type mill (like a paddle boat wheel which was driven by water flowing beneath it). Flutter wheels operate at higher revolutions per minute with low water heads than do a large, classic vertical wheels. Water wheels have the disadvantage of freezing in winter, making them only seasonal sources of power.
Please website for much more detail.
1. An operating water powered 19th century restored up and down sash-type sawmill on original site with dam and sluiceways
2. A Lane shingle mill
3. Ice harvesting equipment
4. A small country-style operating blacksmith shop with one forge
5. A partially restored grist mill