McPherson Country Old Mill Museum - Linsborg, Kansas
McPherson Country Old Mill Museum - Linsborg, Kansas
Preserving the history of McPherson County this museum offers a look at what it took to develop the area. The museum collects, preserves, researches, exhibits and interprets materials related to this heritage with special emphasis on the period from 1870 to 1910.
The Smoky Valley Roller Mill was built in 1898. Unlike a grist mill which uses stones, a roller mill uses a series of corrugated rollers to grind grain. This type of mill, know as "the grand daddy of the modern mill" became important in this area with the introduction of hard winter wheat in 1870s. Until 1955, the mill operated as a business, sending flour to places around the world.
1898 Smoky Valley Roller Mill
The mill was originally water powered by turbines turning horizontally in the river. In 1940 the dam washed out. Fortunately, though, by the 1930s the owners of the mill had already converted it to electric power. (The housing for the turbines and the remains of the dam can be seen behind the mill. Two of the turbines can be seen in the courtyard beside the mill.)
Four to six people were needed to operate the mill. It processed 30-35 bushels of wheat per hour, which yielded 1260 to 1470 pounds of flour per hour.
Efforts to restore the mill to operating condition began in the 1960s and the restoration process was completed in 1981.
1904 World’s Fair Swedish Pavilion
Designed by Ferdinand Boberg, one of Sweden’s premier architects at the turn of the century, the Swedish Pavilion is the only one of Boberg’s international exposition buildings in existence today and the only example of his work in the United States. It is also one of very few international buildings remaining from the St. Louis World’s Fair.
The building followed the design of t he traditional Swedish Manor House or “herrgard” honoring the architectural past of Sweden. The Pavilion was prefabricated at Ekmans Construction Company in Sundbyberg just north of Stockholm, Sweden. It then was dismantled and shipped to the United States by boat, landing at the Port of Baltimore. The materials were then transported by train to the building site on the fair grounds arriving in late March of 1904. The Pavilion opened to visitors on May 9, 1904, and it showcased the best of Sweden at the Fair.
At the close of the Fair, the Swedish Pavilion was purchased by W.W. Thomas, U.S. Minister to Sweden and Norway, and presented to Bethany College in Lindsborg.
In 1969 the Swedish Pavilion was moved from Bethany College to the Old Mill Museum and a partial restoration was completed. The Pavilion is used for cultural heritage events several times throughout the year. The building was entered onto the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. In 1976 King Carl XVI Gustaf rededicated the building to all Swedes and Swedish-Americans.
Along with these two buildings there are others that comprise the museum for your enjoyment and education. They are: West Kentuck One Room School
1879 Kansas Pacific/Union Pacific Railroad Depot
Bethany Academy
Erickson Brothers Workshop
Blacksmith Shop
Sweadal (First McPherson County Courthouse Building)
General Store (Reproduction)
Each spring, the museum hosts Millfest a family event celebrating the history of the mill and the pioneer heritage of the region. Millfest is held the first weekend in May and features guided tours of the mill in operation.
Professional millers run the mill (without grain) and tours are available for visitors age 13 and older. Other activities include a traditional arts and crafts fair, musical entertainment and great food.
Millfest Admission
Adults: $2.00
Children Ages 6-12: $1.00
Under 6: FREE
There is a campground for those interested in staying over. The sites are on a first come first serve basis.
Contact:
McPherson County Old Mill Museum
P.O. Box 94 / 120 Mill Street
Lindsborg, KS 67456
Phone: (785) 227-3595
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