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The Project

The image made by Winslow Fegley at the end of the 19th century has become the basis for our ideas on physically restoring Wetzel's Mill. While it has had numerous owners and many uses and modifications over its lifetime, this image is our only certain knowledge of previous appearance. An idealized animated drone tour around a restored Wetzel's Mill is available off-site via the button below.

Our work started with cleaning up the site, both inside and out. That cleanup operation can be seen here.  Stabilizing the main building's exterior, replacing the roof, and making window changes for the future, are shown here.  The shed off the side of the building was beyond repair, so it was demolished, as shown here.

Foundation

The foundation under the sawmill shed proved to be badly damaged by freeze and thaw cycles over the years and the action of flood water.  Rebuilding in some fashion had to be undertaken to create a solid base for a new sawmill shed above.

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New Shed

With the foundation replaced the sawmill shed could be rebuilt. That started with new timbers and flooring.

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Saw Mill
  Re-creation

From the closeup of a Fegley image it was realized this was a sash (vertical blade) saw mill. This is the basis for the re-creation of a similar saw mill in the shed at our site.

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Research showed there was a sash saw mill at the Daniel Boone Homestead outside of Reading, PA.  We had a model!

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