Scribner’s Mill

Seasonal Escapes August 2004

A chip off the old block
When a historic sawmill in Harrison is open next weekend, people can “visit” the 1800s and learn many skills from that time.
Can you tell the difference between hand-hewn, circular saw cut and sash saw cut lumber? The sash saw looks like a window, with the up and down cutting blade in the center. The wood holds the answer; come see and feel the difference.

Scribner’s Mill in Harrison is a preservation project in the works. The ultimate goal is the successful revival of the only known historically accurate, working water-powered, sash saw sawmill.

The next step in the process will be the restoration of the saw itself. The original iron parts will be joined with hand-turned wood and a new saw. The wood turnings will be made during the annual Back to the Past event to be held the weekend of Aug. 7 and 8.

Three Barrows brothers, George, Horace and Worthy, started Scribner’s Mill in 1847. Their mill man was Cyrus Scribner; Cyrus and his brother bought the mill. Cyrus’ sons took over when he could no longer run the mill. The boys, Jesse and Bourdan, were 14 and 16 at the time. Jesse was still working at the mill and making shingles when he was 92.

The current owners, Marilyn and John Hatch, have seen the power of the Crooked River and the elements during harsh winters in their efforts to rebuild the past. Sometimes, one step forward is followed by two steps back; for example, when the river washed out the footings under the mill or when two-thirds of the long shed roof collapsed from heavy snow. But the mill endures, thanks to the deep appreciation and respect by the Hatches.

Marilyn and John stimulate enthusiasm in visitors as they bring to life this rich history. All efforts are being made to ensure that the mill is as authentic as possible in a personal homage to Jesse, whose photograph can be seen in the museum.

The property includes the mill building, a sawdust shed, a long shed, blacksmith shop and homestead farm with attached barn and outbuildings such as the chicken house and the icehouse. The first building was the blacksmith shop, built larger than the usual since one side was used to hold bunks.

There are three original pieces of sawmill machinery. One is a haul-in wheel that was recovered after a 1976 flood. Logs were bundled except the very large ones; the wheel was turned to haul the bundles up the ramp from the river onto the mill floor. Also original are the iron workings of the sash saw; Jesse cut off part of the original blade in an attempt to improve on the ice harvesting.

This blade is still at the mill, but is not usable in the sash saw. The third original piece is the cut-off saw; this upside down saw is a great circular Dagon that cut the boards crossways, John said.

The sawmill site also produced other items, such as boxes and barrel parts, sawdust for ice harvesting, shingles and peavey handles. The handles were invented here as an addition to the top of pike poles used by the log drivers. Other equipment includes a shingle cutter and a stave that cuts with a curve to make strips for the barrel sides.

The machine that makes the lids is interesting since the operator pushes a pedal to tilt the lid toward the blade at an angle; this makes the snug fit required. The edger, which is original to the mill, was used to trim the rough edges. A shook makes box parts – sides, tops, and bottoms. During World War II, box parts made here and the boxes, which held ammunition, were assembled elsewhere.

The homestead is on the National Register of Historic Places. The mill had been on the register prior to the flood. Following the complete restoration, it will be reevaluated for listing.

On ‘FryDay,’ Oct. 15, 1847

A wooden sign hangs in an ell; the wood-burning artist remains unknown, but the words are from a diary by Dr. Horace A. Barrows.

“Bro. Worthy has been up this evening and informs us that our new Saw Mill has commenced its specific operations this day by sawing a yellow birch for Headstock.” It’s dated “FryDay 15 October 1847.

Marilyn and John Hatch: The life experiences and interests of the Hatches seem to have brought them to this point of shaping the future of the historic mill. John, who is fascinated by early technology, taught industrial arts for years. He tinkers with the machinery.

Marilyn is fascinated with early textiles. She enjoys collecting early 1800s dresses and weaving on her loom. She is currently working on a tablecloth for the homestead dining room. At the annual Back to the Past event, visitors will get to see her walking-wheel spinning wheel in use.

The Hatches show strong personal resolve toward making Jesse’s mill the way he wanted it; thereby, making his world real to us.

The community: Involved and interested people are what make it possible to save pieces of our pasts. This could mean anything from making enough shingles to re-side the mill to craftspeople offering their talents at this year’s historic artisan workshops Sunday, Aug. 8, during the Back to the Past event. In fact, 13 craftspeople have said they will donate all of their fees to the preservation of the mill.

Feel the community of the time. Picture in your mind the other mills located up and down the river. Logs were branded so the log drivers could tell whose were floating down the river and which to divert to the mill. Other members of the mill town raised oxen, or used the barrel parts in a cooperage, or needed the barrels for storage. Picture a community tied to the woods and river. Wood and water were the means for economic survival.

Come back to the past for a visit, come again next year to see the progress.

And yes, you will be able to see the up-and-down cuts, or half circles, or wedges in the beams to tell how the wood was cut.

Getting there: From Lewiston-Auburn, take Route 11 to Mechanic Falls and continue on Route Route 121 until Route 26. Turn right on Route 26 – for a short piece – then turn left on Route 121. Continue following Route 121 for 8.7 miles; the road has switchbacks through Otisfield Center. After the second Otisfield Fire Department, which is on the left, turn right onto Bolsters Mill Road. In 5 miles you will come to a steep hill; at the bottom take a sharp left onto Jesse Mill Road. This is a bumpy gravel road; continue for about a mile; at the fork there is a sign for North Tamworth Street, turn right, cross the bridge over the Crooked River to the mill.

Fees: Admission is $5 for adults; children under 12 are admitted free of charge. Scribner’s Mill is open during the annual event and by appointment or chance at other times. Workshop fees for Back to the Past include admission, but some also have a materials fee. For reservations and more information, people can call (207) 583-MILL. The mill’s Web site is www.scribnermills.org.

Edith Churchill is a freelance writer living in Auburn who frequently takes day trips with her family.

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Going ‘Back to the Past’

Scribner’s Mill holds an annual weekend event as a fund-raiser and educational outreach. For the first time this year, period workshops will be included on Sunday. The 2004 Back to the Past event will take place Saturday, Aug. 7, and Sunday, Aug. 8. A “Starry Paths” quilt made by the Scribner sisters, Catherine Calef, Phyllis Partridge and Lucy Reynolds will be raffled.

Saturday’s events will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities include a pig roast at 5 p.m. Saturday, and an antiques appraisal that Sunday. For complete event happenings, people may call 583-MILL. Marilyn Hatch is taking reservations for the pig roast; last year’s event sold 160 and they have enough for 200 people. To make a reservation, call 583-MILL.

On Saturday, demonstrations will be ongoing all day, including Antique Power Club presentations of old machines such as steam engines and old washing machines. Artisans in the barn will include a clock-and-watch repairman, who is new to the event this year. Homestead activities will include spinning and weaving, rug hooking and broom making. Craftsmen will include a blacksmith, farrier and woodworker.

Exhibits will include old pictures and postcards of the area and the mill, an antique mill, ice harvesting and beekeeping.

Sunday workshops

There is a workshop fee and an additional materials fee for some workshops. Some will fill quickly. Reservations are required.

The sessions will run from 9:30 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

Workshops are planned on:

Basketry: Learn how to weave a berry basket.

Broom making: Make a whisk broom.

Quilting: Craft a quilt square.

Kumihimo braiding: Learn this ancient Japanese braiding technique. The braiding is used anyplace you would use a cord, such as a tieback or belt. Available a.m. session only.

Beginners spinning: Learn how to spin wool with a drop spindle.

Lace knitting: Create your own knitting project. Bring sport yarn and size 6 or 7 needles. A kit will be available for purchase. Available a.m. session only.

Tatting: Make a small snowflake using this knotting technique. Full day.

Rug hooking: Learn how to make a primitive hooked rug sample.

Fly fishing: Learn this angling technique.

Antique auto: Learn general maintenance and safety of the antique auto. Available a.m. session only.

Tractor repair: Get that old tractor running. Available p.m. session only.

Plane knowledge: Learn how to sharpen and use a variety of planes to make a small frame.

Barrel making: Work in the mill to manufacture parts for a barrel.

Blacksmithing: Learn this early art of ironworking.

Timber framing: Work with barnwright Scott Hatch to build a 24-by-24-foot timber frame. This is a 2½ day project that starts Friday evening. Learn the how and why of timber framing.

Enjoy your time back to the past!