Sturbridge in Worcester County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

Millstones

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 20, 2018

1. Millstones Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

These millstones, made of New England granite, were used to grind grain into meal (a fine powder) for baking and cooking.

Millstones in a gristmill work in pairs, like scissor blades, with the grooved surfaces facing each other.

Grain is fed through the hole in the top stone, which turns while the lower one is stationary.

As the sharp-edged grooves cross one another, they shear the grain into a fine powder.

To learn more, please visit the Gristmill.

Erected by Old Sturbridge Village.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce.

Location. 42° 6.318′ N, 72° 5.715′ W. Marker is in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, in Worcester County. Millstones and marker are near the Gristmill, on the Old Sturbridge Village grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge MA 01566, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. An Open Landscape (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Smokehouse (about 600 feet away); Freeman Farm

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 20, 2018

2. Millstones Marker

The Quinebaug River Reservoir (AKA the Mill Pond) is in background

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(about 600 feet away); Brooks Pottery Kiln (about 600 feet away); Welcome to the Pasture Walk (about 700 feet away); The Architectural Style of the Salem Towne House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Where is the Farm? (approx. 0.2 miles away); Controlling Livestock: The Town Pound (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sturbridge.

More about this marker. There is an identical marker and two other millstones near the Visitor Center entrance.

Also see . . .
1. Gristmill at Old Sturbridge Village. (Submitted on June 18, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. 19th Century Technology at a Grist Mill at YouTube. (Submitted on June 18, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 109 times since then and 4 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 18, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.