Grist from the Mill by Newlin Grist Mill

GRIST From the Mill Volume 6: Issue 1

Spring/Summer 2012

A publication of the Newlin Grist Mill

Chester Water Authority Establishes Environmental Education Fund to gain practical experience while developing programs, creating program resources, and conducting field studies. Students interested in education, biology, natural resource management, and related fields of study will be encouraged to complete projects designed to protect Newlin Grist Mill’s natural resources to make better educational experiences.

We are excited to announce our most recent environmental initiative — the establishment of an Environmental Education Fund. This fund was made possible by a $30,000 donation from the Chester Water Authority to enhance Newlin Grist Mill’s environmental education resources. The Environmental Education Fund will fund intern stipends that will enable Newlin Mill to provide opportunities for interns Table of Contents 2

Building Partnerships: One Brick at a Time

Marking the Way: Trails Project

Dabbs Day

Summer Discovery

Digging into Newlin’s History

Spring Returns...And So Does Pond Fishing

Stream Membership Program

Building Highlight: Log Cabin

Volunteer Highlight: Friends Central School

Lenses on Newlin: Community Art Show Winners

Annual Appeal & Donor List

Calendar of Events

The mission of the Nicholas Newlin Foundation is to preserve and educate in the dual areas of history and nature, combining the two areas whenever possible. Over the past 50 years, the Foundation has promoted its environmental mission through activities such as Summer Discovery Nature Camp, a ongoing Forest and Tree Planting Program, Water Quality Monitoring, Bird and Tree Walks, a Natural Resources Inventory, and our new Trail Project (see pg. 2). The projects made possible by the Environmental Education Fund are anticipated to include a series of environmental programs for school students and weekend programs for families. We thank the Chester Water Authority for its generosity.

Earth Day at Newlin Grist Mill Newlin Grist Mill’s 160-acre nature preserve is home to hundreds of plant and animal species. That’s why Newlin Grist Mill is calling on the community to volunteer this Earth Day to help with projects to preserve the Park’s diverse environment. Join Newlin Grist Mill on April 22nd from 1-4p.m. for our first Earth Day event! We are looking for volunteers of all ages and experiences to help with various projects to get the Park ready for the spring and summer season. No specific skills are necessary to volunteer on Earth Day. Projects range from assisting in the installation of new trail markers, planting new trees as part of our reforestation program, and placing new shrubbery that provide nutrients for wildlife in the park.

We hope you will grab a pair of work gloves and come to the Mill to lend a hand for the afternoon. Snacks, generously donated by Herr’s, will be provided. If you would like to volunteer please call 610-459-2359 or email info@newlingristmill.org.

Building Partnerships, One Brick at a Time

Newlin Grist Mill and the New Castle Historical Society (NCHS) in New Castle, Delaware are teaming up to make bricks—the historic way! NCHS is currently in the process of restoring the hearth of the Amstel House in Historic New Castle. In order to restore the hearth, 500 bricks are being made as part of the project. Knowing that Newlin Grist Mill has a specific interest in experimental archaeology, especially those related to historic trades, the director of NCHS approached us about partnering on this project. After months of study and further consultation with the brick makers at Colonial Williamsburg, the early stages of the project have already begun using clay that was preserved during excavations of the Amstel House. The clay was staged to begin tempering, and test bricks were hand-molded to begin air drying. They will be fired to determine the shrinkage of the clay so adjustments can be made to the molds before the project officially begins in May.

Top: Mike Connolly, Director of NCHS molding test bricks. Bottom: Test bricks made in preparation for brick making parnership

Following experimental archaeology techniques, each step of the brickmaking process will be studied and documented to better understand this trade in the Mid-Atlantic region. The project will also incorporate the public and include hands-on opportunities for making brick. If you would like to have fun getting a little dirty and help to restore a historic house, join us for one of the scheduled brick making days.

Marking the Way: Trails Project Many of our visitors over the past several months have requested a trail map of the park. As a result of this feedback, Newlin Grist Mill is in the process of designing a new trail map and brochure for easier use of the park’s 8.5 miles of trails. The new brochure will incorporate a color-coded map that will include the distances of each. It will also provide descriptions of the many historic and natural resources visitors will see along each trail. A series of trail markers will be placed at junctions in the trails. This will help visitors as they explore the park. In addition, outdoor signage will include maps and informational panels describing features of Newlin Grist Mill such as the water system, a map of the historic area, and the trees of Mortimer Newlin. The markers will be installed along the trails in the spring. A draft trail map will be available for testing purposes over the summer. We invite you to test and provide feedback about this map. We are hard at work to make your experiences at Newlin Grist Mill the best they can be. 2 | Newlin Grist Mill

Top: Beech trees along the Mill Race Trail. Bottom: Fall view of the Railroad Trail

Nicholas Newlin Foundation Trustees/ Newlin Grist Mill Staff Executive Trustee Mortimer Newlin Sellers Vice-Chair Timothy Barnard Secretary Virginia DeNenno Treasurer Henry F. Thompson, Jr. Board of Trustees Eliza Newlin Carney Ellen M. Cronin Virginia DeNenno Lawrence Dunbar Patrick Harshbarger Johannes Jarka-Sellers Lucy Bell Jarka-Sellers Frank J. McKelvey, Jr. Bill Newlin, Jr. William V.P. Newlin Susan Shisler Rapp Frances Stead Sellers Lucy Bell Newlin Sellers Mortimer Newlin Sellers Nicholas Sellers Peter H. Sellers Marianne D. Squryes Mason C. Thompson Joseph Townsend Mark Willcox III Emeriti Anthony F.C. Wallace Mark Willcox, Jr. Full Time Staff Tony Shahan, Director Lauren Burnham Rick Fellows Andrea Gómez Kevin Miller Part Time Staff Sarah Carroll Keith Doms KB Inglee Bodge Inglee Brian McBride Lindsay Susco Grist From The Mill Design: Andrea Gómez Editors: Andrea Gómez and Patrick Harshbarger

Dabbs Day Saturday June 2nd Mark your calendars for our 3rd annual Dabbs Day: Family Fun and 5K Run. The day will once again kick off with a 5K trail run through Newlin Grist Mill’s beautiful property. Last year people loved the trail run! The day will also include a wide variety of activities such as demonstrations in the mill and blacksmith shop, interactive family activities, duck races, and live music. This event is a fundraiser to benefit the activities Dabbs Woodfin (former NGM director) loved and supported. Proceeds benefit Newlin Grist Mill, Concord Township Historical Society, and Concordville/Chadds Ford Rotary. Admission charged. Please subscribe to our e-blast for updated information about this event.

Summer Discovery For the past 24 years, Newlin Grist Mill has offered its Summer Discovery program for kids! This environmentally themed camp focuses on the plants and animals that live and grow at Newlin Grist Mill. We offer a full summer of camp sessions that vary from morning three day sessions and afternoon workshops to a full day, full week of camp at Newlin Grist Mill. These camps are designed to fit every child’s schedule (and their parent’s too) and interests. We hope that your child or grandchild will join us this summer to learn about reptiles, amphibians, birds and other critters, and even the superheroes of nature! Contact Andrea Gómez, agomez@newlingristmill.org for more information or to request a brochure or visit www.newlingristmill.org.

Digging Into Newlin Mill’s History

Over the past two years, a group of volunteers and staff have been involved in an archaeological project to investigate the yard around the Miller’s House. Led by professional archaeologist Keith Doms, the team has excavated artifacts, cleaned and sorted artifacts, and unearthed previously unknown features of the historic landscape. In fact, the goal of this project has been to understand what the landscape around the house looked like in the 18th century, how it has changed over time, and to locate evidence of construction details for the house or material culture of its residents. Last year, archaeological excavations were conducted on the north, south, and west sides of the house that revealed both interesting historical evidence and puzzling questions. It was discovered that the grade surrounding the Miller’s House was significantly raised in multiple episodes. This could possibly be associated with the excavation of basement areas when additions were added onto the house. The original yard may have been four to five feet lower than its current elevation. Most interestingly, the foundation for an exterior fireplace hearth was also uncovered on the north end of the house. In 2012, our community archaeology program will continue to examine more evidence. We plan on continuing to excavate to explore the hearth and attempt to locate the 18th-century level of the house. We also plan on excavating in a structure believed to be a privy. The building was a 12 ft. square structure built into the rock outcropping behind the Trimble House. Oral history describes it as being divided into two sections with two doors and eight seats total. The features are not typical for a privy so we are very excited to investigate further. Much of 2011 was spent stabilizing the stone walls so archaeology could safely begin. Dates for this year’s excavations are in our calendar of events. We welcome all who are interested in volunteering for our community archaeology program. Please contact Lauren at info@newlingristmill.org for more information. www.newlingristmill.org | 3

Spring Returns!

....and so does Pond Fishing at Newlin Grist Mill Mark your calendars – fishing in the Important Fishing Information Newlin Grist Mill ponds opens on Hours: Saturdays and Sundays from 9am-4pm, March 31-October 31. Saturday, March 31st this year! A Fishing Tradition Fishing in the ponds is a long standing tradition at Newlin Grist Mill. We often hear from people from near and far about the memories they have of fishing here. It is a joy to watch children catch their first fish. Their faces light up, they have huge smiles on their faces, and they are full of pride. A Bit About Our Ponds Fishing at Newlin Grist Mill takes place in three ponds that are actually part of the spillway for the water system that operates the mill.

Cost: • Admission: $5.00 per person This includes the use of the ponds and a cane fishing pole. (You are also

welcome to bring your own fishing rods and your own bait.)

• Bait: $1.00 per piece. • Fish: $4.00 each. You must keep what you catch – we do not allow catch and release in our fishing ponds. Fish: Our ponds are stocked with rainbow trout.

Fishing License: A fishing license is not required. However, visitors The spillway allows excess water from interested in fishing must first register the headrace (the hand-dug canal that in the visitor center. brings water into the mill to operate Every weekend during the fishing the water wheel) to return to the season memories are made that last a Chester Creek.The amount of water lifetime. We would love to hear about going over the waterfalls is controlled the memories you have visiting our by gates that are situated in the head- site. Share your stories and pictures race. These gates allows us to empty of fishing via email to info@newlinout the headrace (via the ponds) in gristmill.org or on our Facebook Page! case of an emergency and for yearly maintenance. This also means that our ponds are continually stocked with fresh water from the Chester Creek.

Stream Fishing Memberships If you are looking for a different kind of fishing experience, Newlin Grist Mill also has a stream fishing membership. This unique opportunity allows members to fly fish along the Chester Creek, which we stock with rainbow and brown trout. Steam fishing is catch and release. In order to ensure that the stream does not become too crowded, membership in the stream fishing program is limited to 100 people. Fly fishing is permitted every day of the week from dawn-dusk. Memberships cost: $85.00 for individuals, and $105.00 for families. A license is required to fish in the stream. To receive more information or a membership application, please contact Lauren at 610-459-2359 or info@newlingristmill.org. 4 | Newlin Grist Mill

NGM Building Highlight: ....The Log Cabin Gets A Makeover

The log cabin that sits along our railroad trail was built in 1965 by the first director of Newlin Grist Mill, Rudy Fields. It served as staff offices, fishing headquarters, a meeting room, and a rental space. As part of our commitment to care for the buildings entrusted to us, the cabin had a small makeover this winter.

Images Top to Bottom: Outside of NGM log cabin, repair work on the kitchen floor joists, completed cabin kitchen

Staff members Rick Fellows and Kevin Miller made vital repairs and updates to this building in January and February. They replaced floor joists to stabilize the floors and replaced the entire floor of the kitchen. The electricity and the plumbing were also updated, and a new wheelchair ramp was built to replace one that was rotting. In addition to the inner workings of the cabin, new counter tops, cabinets, and lights were also installed in the kitchen to update it for rentals and events. The cabin is a beautiful space, and is perfect to rent for special occasions. It is one of three rental spaces that Newlin Grist Mill makes accessible for special events. The other two rental spaces include picnic areas and baseball fields. For more information about rentals, please visit www.newlingristmill.org, email info@newlingristmill.org, or call 610-459-2359.

Volunteer Highlight: Friends Central School Twice a year we are lucky to have Friends Central School in Wynnewood, PA bring groups of students to Newlin Grist Mill to volunteer their time during their days of service. The students are always hard workers! In past years they have helped us grind and package cornmeal to sell in the gift shop, cleared vines, and worked on trail maintenance. This past November, Friends Central continued its outstanding commitment to volunteerism by sending five students to repaint the fish hut located behind the Visitor Center. The aging fish hut was slowly decaying and badly in need of attention. This structure holds all of the equipment that is needed for the popular pond fishing programs offered to the public in the spring and summer. The Friends Central students industriously worked for two days scraping off the old paint, applying two fresh coats, and carefully adding trim color. Over two days the five students donated a total of 40 hours to help beautify and preserve this structure. A big thank you goes out to all of the students who have generously donated their time to Newlin Grist Mill throughout the years. Newlin Grist Mill is proud to be a Friends Central community partner.

Get Involved!

We are always looking for new volunteers. Like talking to people? Working with objects? Being outside? Working on computers? Learning about history and the environment? We have a wide variety of volunteer projects for people of all ages, interests, and commitment levels. We rely on volunteers to help us preserve the history and nature of our site. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Lauren at lburnham@newlingristmill.org or call 610-459-2359. Also look in the mail for our new volunteer brochure that is coming soon! www.newlingristmill.org | 5

Lenses on Newlin: Community Art Show Winners In 2011, the Nicholas Newlin Foundation celebrated its 50th anniversary. The culminating event of the year was the Lenses on Newlin Community Art Competition. We asked our community – those of you who love Newlin Grist Mill as much as we do– to use the historic and environmental areas of our property to answer the question: What does Newlin Grist Mill mean to you? Works of art in many different (and surprising) mediums were all submitted including sculptures, paintings, photographs, poetry, and music. These pieces all drew inspiration from the beauty and history of Newlin Grist Mill.

Overall Winner’s

1st Place: Guillermo Gómez “The Mill,” Musical Composition available to listen to at www.gomezcreates.com 2nd Place: Cindy Caponi “Water Wheel,” Photograph 3rd Place: Isobel Beaston “Grist for Life’s Mill” Poem (excerpt only included)

Grist For Life A Shakespearean Sonnet Beyond the slanting tree stands Newlin Mill a legacy of men and time gone by. Its great stone walls squared off against the hill arise from grassy swale to meet the sky ...

People’s Choice Awards Gregory Rendell “Autumn Refuge,” Photograph on Canvas Cindy Caponi “Amber Tree,” Photograph

Staff Choice

Anne Rigby “Duck Watching,” Painting

Artistic Merit Awards

Rick Fellows “Early Bird in the Hand,” Sculpture Veronica Bater “Hexapoda Tabellae, ‘g,’ ‘d,’ ‘r,’ ‘c’

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all artists hold the © to their works

Thank You For Your Support! 2011 Annual Appeal

Ms. Janet Amighi Steven Balmer Timothy B Barnard Mrs. Paula Bell Mr. and Mrs. Jon and Daphne Bogert Mr. John Brown Thomas Bruton James and Susan Bullit Lela Burke Jim Burns & Marion Childs Ms. Michelle Bustard Carousel Toyota Kim Cajda Dan and Elizabeth Newlin Carney Mr. & Mrs. Chetty Dr. and Mrs. Samuel Cimino William Covert Mr. and Mrs. Cronin Mr. and Mrs. Delzingaro Virginia DeNenno Clarissa Dillon Lawrence Dunbar Rick Fellows Mr. and Mrs. Edward Finn Graham & Kay Finney Walter Foulke David A. Gilliard David Grubbs Mr. John Hanlon Mr. Gerald Hapka Mr. and Mrs. Harris Patrick Harshbarger & Eileen Mapes Jack and Gail Heath Mr. Angelo Hionis KB Inglee Mr. and Mrs. Jarka-Sellers Mr. and Mrs. Jennings Ms. Trish Jennings Ms. Gay G. Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Jurich Mr. and Mrs. Kemper Mr. and Mrs. Klinger Mr. and Mrs. Koch Mr. Joseph Lesniak Mr. Howard H. Lewis Mr. and Mrs. Littman Mr. John J. Marquess Mr. Frank J McKelvey Mr. Randall Miller Ms. Katherine MondaySchievenin Ms. Nancy Newlin Neumann Mr. Bill Newlin, Jr. Mr. Gary Newlin CDR John Newlin Mr. and Mrs. William Newlin Ms. Sandra Ferguson John Ogilby

Mr. David Page Mary Ann Parker Ms. Annette Rose Popeck Thompson Radclyffee John and Susan Rapp Lucy Bell and Peter Sellers Tim and Frances Sellers Nicholas Sellers Anthony Severoni Mr. and Mrs. Tony Shahan Mr. Laurence Shaheen Maria B. Smith, MD Mr. and Mrs. Snell Ms. Elizabeth Solomon Marianne and Michael Squyres Mr. and Mrs. Dan Staud Patricia Stetler Mr. and Mrs. Bayard and Francis Storey Henry and Mason Thompson Henry Thompson, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Radclyffe F. Thompson Mr. and Mrs. Watkins Mr. and Mrs. Charles White Mr. Mark Willcox, III Ms. Dorothy Wilson Mr. William T. Windsor, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Wood Ms. Elsa Rapp Woodfin Mr. Minturn Wright Mr. Tom Zaffarano

2012 Annual Appeal

Ms. Janet Amighi Ms. Marjorie Baird Steven Balmer Timothy B Barnard Mr. and Mrs. Barry Mr. Ted Bohannon Ms. Jody Brown Thomas Bruton Mrs. Rosalie Bryant James and Susan Bullit Jim Burns and Marion Childs Kim Cajda James Cantrell Dan & Elizabeth Newlin Carney Ms. Beth Chapman Mr. & Mrs. Chetty Dr. and Mrs. Samuel Cimino William Covert Mr. and Mrs. Cronin Mr. Mark Cronin John Davis Mr. and Mrs. Delzingaro Virginia DeNenno Clarissa Dillon Lawrence Dunbar Mr. Robert Forrester Walter Foulke

Mr. and Mrs. Gabos David A. Gilliard Mr. & Mrs. Goodwin Ms. Sandra Gordon Mr. and Mrs. Hanlon Mr. and Mrs. Harris Patrick Harshbarger & Eileen Mapes Jack and Gail Heath Mr. Angelo Hionis KB Inglee Mr. and Mrs. Jennings Mr. and Mrs. Jurich Mr. and Mrs. Kemper Mr. and Mrs. Klinger Mr. and Mrs. Koch Mr. Robert Kraus Mr. Joseph Lesniak Mr. and Mrs. Littman Mr. Dan Mahoney Ms. Nancy Manzano Mr. John J. Marquess Mr. Frank J McKelvey Mr. W.K. Mendenhall Mr. Randall Miller Ms. Katherine MondaySchievenin Ms. Nancy Montville Ms. Sandy Morris Mr. Louis Muchnick Mr. and Mrs. Murphy Ms. Nancy Newlin Neumann Mr. J. Shipley Newlin CDR John Newlin Mr. and Mrs. William Newlin Mr. William S. Newlin, Jr. Dr. and Mrs. Ogilby Mary Ann Parker Mr. and Mrs. Rapp John Ricci Tim and Frances Sellers Nicholas Sellers Anthony Severoni Mr. and Mrs. Tony Shahan Mr. Laurence Shaheen Ms. Silva Small Maria B. Smith, MD Mr. and Mrs. Snell Ms. Elizabeth Solomon The Sporting Gentleman Marianne and Michael Squyres Henry and Mason Thompson Mr. & Mrs. Radclyffe F. Thompson Mr. Anthony F.C. Wallace Mr. and Mrs. Watkins Charles and Janet White Mr. and Mrs. Wood Ms. Elsa Rapp Woodfin Mr. Minturn Wright Mr. and Mrs. Young Mr. Tom Zaffarano

Donations Below from 1/1/11-2/22/12 Barn Dance & Tavern Night Patron Funds Mr. and Mrs. William Newlin Tim and Frances Sellers Virginia DeNenno Virginia DeNenno Mr. and Mrs. Harris Mr. Frank J. McKelvey

Tavern Night Sponsorships The Country Press Sherry Rutter Rick Frunzi Historical Services

Dabbsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Day

Mr. and Mrs. Harris Ms. Joy Salls Tim and Frances Sellers Ms. Elsa Rapp Woodfin

Dabbs Woodfin Internship

Lucy Bell and Peter Sellers Nicholas Sellers Ms. Elsa Rapp Woodfin

Fall Harvest Festival Sponsors Aqua Charitable Trust Carousel Toyota The Country Press Staples Walmart Store #3252

In-Kind & Operational The American Chestnut Foundation Guillermo Gomez Kathi Vitelli Jack Filler

Library and Archives Frank McKelvey Mrs. Marianne Squyres

Memorial Trees

Ms. Jennifer Paterchak Ms. Meredith Warner

Special Events

The Sporting Gentleman

www.newlingristmill.org | 7

Nicholas Newlin Foundation Newlin Grist Mill 219 South Cheyney Road, Glen Mills PA 19342 P 610-459-2359 | www.newlingristmill.org

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NonProfit Organization U.S. Postage PAID West Chester, PA Permit #503

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VISIT US! Newlin Grist Mill 219 S. Cheyney Rd. Glen Mills, PA 19342 P: 610-459-2359 info@newlingristmill.org Hours: Visitor Center March-November; 9am-4pm December-February 10am-3pm Hours: Park 9am-Dusk Tours: Monday-Friday: 11am & 2pm Saturday and Sunday 10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm

CALENDAR OF EVENTS Saturday March

Sunday April

Saturday June

Saturday October

Saturday November www.newlingristmill.org

MARCH

Fishing Opens 9am-4pm, Weekends

APRIL

Earth Day 1pm-4pm

JUNE

Dabbsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Day Family Fun and 5K Run 9:30am-10:30 Run, 10am-3pm Event

OCTOBER Fall Harvest Festival 10am-4pm

NOVEMBER

Tavern Night Fundraiser Time TBA

Email info@newlingristmill.org to receive email updates about our events.

HISTORIC BRICK MAKING PROJECT Fridays and Saturdays May 25, May 26 June 15, June 16 June 29, June 30 July 20, July 21 July 27, July 28 August 17, August 18

COMMUNITY ARCHAEOLOGY Saturdays April 21 May 19 June 16 August 18 September 15 October 13 November 17