Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1997-03-19, Page 53storcal Gorrie mill to be restore by Marilyn Arscott estled on the banks of the Ice choked .Maitland : river,, in Huron County, the building .looks abandoned and some what lonely, Another forgotten piece of Canada's history, But the people of Gorrie, Ontario are not yet ready to let go of the past,. A decision was made in '1994 by the community :to-.: restore the Maitland Mill to its former. glory. Their eventual goal is : to -have the : Mill com ,pletely refurbished in time for Howick Township's sesquicen , tennial in 2006. In 1856, the Maitland Mill, owned by the Leech family was the prime.industry of "Howick Village" as. Gorrie • was known then. ,By the late. 1800s the Mill' was the.. busiest' in the area and: prosperity came to the village;' Various spin, off industries such as, a barrel foe - tory, shingle Trill and furniture. - factory employed many peo. 'pie; .hotels` and general stores thrived. When the chaitpersona of. the restoration..cornmittee,, Linda Henhoeffer and Rosemary ' ltognvaldson point out various pieces of milling equipment ,explaining their functions, the pride in their community's efforts is obvi- ous. 7The last owner of the mill, Ben Maguire, left the people a great legacy when he closed the mill in 1962 leaving most of the machinery :intact," says" Henhoeffer. She is also grateful to residents who have donated'. artifacts, found in their, homes, .•for exhibit in. themill. The restoration will take many years of hard work; but thisis a labor of love and many have offered :their and talents at no cost in 'order to see' it. through. At, present, the mill is open to the first floor and work will. • proceed on the development of` the park and Play equipment. Throughout the year there are concerts, tours and a gift shop featuring , locally Made . The second annual Polar Bear Dip took place recently ' with participants raising money towards the restoration. 'The citizens of Gorrie and Howick Township., are special people indeed, They are ,the keepers of the past. • r: - . The Maitland NMI,.in Gorrie isunder ole refurbishingb the o 1e� of that communi . Price the rime Indus- : try, of "Howick Village, plans. are: to have the project Completed: by 2006. (Arscott. phot*} , •