Grinnell Mill

Welcome to the Grinnell Mill page of the Miami Township website. We hope to update this page about every six months with current information regarding the condition of the mill and the progress being made.

We invite you to click on the subjects above for information concerning what we hope will happen to the mill, a brief history of the mill, and a photo narrative of what the mill was like when we acquired ownership of the mill and a 90 year lease of it's property from Antioch University in January of 2004. We welcome any comments, questions or input regarding the mill. Please direct any e-mail communication to: trustees@miamitownship.net Since the spring of 2005, work has progressed steadily during the second year of stabilization and structural restoration of the historic Grinnell Mill. Some of the major projects completed so far this year have been: All repairs to the two-foot thick limestone foundation have been completed. The basement floor has been lowered more than a foot and refinished with contoured cement and a floor drain. As a sidenote; a fully intact millstone was found buried in the dirt of the basement and is now on display. The entire building interior has been cleaned of all non-original wood, nails, fixtures and wire. There have been two new main interior beam supports installed in the basement. A source of custom cut white oak wood for the structural repair was been located in Indiana. The mill has been lifted from the foundation and four 37 foot 8"X12" foundation timbers have been replaced. The mill has been leveled by raising the rear portion by 5 inches. Deteriorated portions of the four 12"X12" corner posts have been replaced in lengths from 12 to 20 feet. New, custom steel repair "boots" have been installed and secured on all 16 vertical wood posts. A 3"X4" steel angle bracket has been mounted and secured on the new foundation timbers completely surrounding the mill to hold new exterior panels. The process to level roof rafters prior to installing new insulated panels and a standing seam metal roof has begun. There is an on going effort to clean up the mill grounds. All the rotted 12 foot long 8"X10" crossbeams between the first and second floors have been replaced. These beams span between all vertical posts and provide support for floor joists on the second floor. After that, all the 4"X4"'s will be replaced. In the spring of 2006, all remaining exterior siding needs to be removed and replaced with structural insulated panels and new cedar lap siding. The mill interior has been completely power washed, which has revealed some beautiful variations in the color of the structural timbers. Additionally, all the musty and moldy smell has been elminated. All new windows have been purchased by generous sponsors in exchange for acknowledgment on the individual windows themselves. Any tax deductible donation can be made, (and very appreciated) by sending them to the Grinnell Mill Foundation, 136 S. Walnut St., Yellow Springs, Ohio 45387. As of early spring 2008 the Mill's preservation has been completed, a Caretaker/Manager has been hired and the Mill is now open to the public. The Mill is available for short-term rental for any organization. It is also set-up as a Bed and Breakfast for visitors who would like spend more time at the Mill. In addition, the Mill is open to the general public for viewing, 3 days a week and on the weekend. For information on any potential use of the Mill, please call--937-767-9108.