Aldie Mill

ALDIE Mill

by Michelle ( http://www.virginiawind.com/ )

It's a fairly common dilemma: What to do with the now silent factories, iron works, mills and other reminders of the industrial revolution that have long since outlived their original purpose. In this era of restoring these giant landmarks as restaurants, studio apartments, and even convention centers, the Virginia Outdoor Society is taking a more traditional approach with the old Aldie Mill. They intend to return it, as much as possible, to the way it was, by making the mill a place to learn and appreciate the simplicity of the technology of days gone by. With help from private donations and
Federal HWY Enhancement (ISTEA) funds, in the near future the Aldie Mill will be an operating water-powered gristmill.

Visitors are welcomed to pay tribute to this awesome reminder of how far man has come in such a short time. With no buttons to push, no flashing lights and no screens to monitor, the mill's two smaller milestones, only 48 inches in diameter, would produce about 2 tons wheat meal a day (8 to 12 bushels every hour). Something the children of today would not understand.

Outside the mill is evidence that restoration is in progress. In addition to the sign declaring the work that is being done, the frothy green slime lining the stagnant water in the raceway (a canal for a current of water) is in sharp contrast to the newly painted double wheels. It is a silent reminder of the passage of time. It lends itself to a sense of anticipation towards the day when the water will once again move the two giant water wheels and breathe life and power into historic Aldie Mill. As my partner and I walk around the building taking photos and making notes, the upper half of large wooden split front door opens, and a friendly face peers out and asks if we would like a tour. She then smilingly directs us to the side entrance and just as quickly as she appeared, she was gone. Somehow I was reminded of Dorothy asking for the Wizard at the gates of Oz. We were intrigued so we decided to investigate further.

Upon entering the mill, we were greeted by our Tour Guide for the day. He was a laid back Aldie native sporting an NRA cap. He begins our tour by telling us the mill was built 1807-1809 by Charles Fenton Mercer, who was reported to have been a friend of George Washington. The mill continued to operate until 1981 when Mr. and Mrs. James Douglass donated the mill to the VA Outdoors Foundation. Our guide waxes nostalgic as he remembers when he, as a small boy, used to cart wheelbarrows full of corncobs from the mill's basement to sell as fuel for fire to people in the community. His casual mannerisms and gentle local humor have his audience captivated. I learned more than I ever cared to about the lifecycle of the weevil and the modern health codes had made the continued operation of the mill impossible. Apparently noticing the look of disgust on many of the visitor's faces, our host gently reminds us that he's "eaten many a cornbread made from meal from this mill and he has lived to tell about it."

The interior of the mill is surprisingly cool. The building itself, supported by huge solid beams has an indestructible feel. You could easily imagine the floors vibrating with the hum of the mill wheels as the grain was rapidly being processed. The place smells like dust and aging wood. You can detect the faint aroma of a long extinguished fire from the fireplace located in the basement. Descriptive signs hang from every noteworthy item in the mill for visitors to obtain additional information not provided by their tour guide.

An old desk located in the office upstairs allows you to envision a ghost from a bygone day carefully logging entries with a quill pen in its ledger. (Here our guide interjects that in one of the remaining ledgers from the mill is reportedly an entry stating that the mill owes James Monroe $5). As for real ghosts, Aldie Mill reportedly has none. Other than one tragic incident in which a man was crushed by a giant mill wheel, the mill enjoyed a relatively safe history. The only "almost" ghost story appears to be a rumor that Yankee soldiers once hid in the mill and were covered with flour giving them the appearance of ghosts.

For those searching for connections to simpler days, those interested in historical locations, architecture, mechanics of a mill, or those just appreciating a nice building with great acoustics in a calm surrounding, the Aldie Mill is a natural stopping point.

Directions - Route 50, west of the intersection of Rt 50 and Rt 15

Cost of attending - The cost of the tour is free. There is a suggested donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children. As the mill is a work in progress, contributions are very welcomed. A notebook containing an oral history of the mill is also available for $5.00.

Information - For additional information contact: Virginia Outdoors Foundation, Aldie Mill, P.O. Box 322, 39395 John Mosby Highway, Aldie, VA 20105. Telephone: (703) 327-6118. They are also currently seeking volunteers for training in historic interpretation and other volunteer tasks.

Times - Sunday's from 12:00 - 5:00 pm from late April to the end of October. (Basically coincides with riding season. Tours are given by volunteers as we were told "whenever there is a crowd". If the mill is not open you can always just take a look around the outside of the mill and see the rare double water wheel located in the back.

Other Points of Interest - Aldie Stone Bridge - (Directly on Route 50) historically revered but cursed by modern drivers as being too narrow. This bridge was recently damaged and is in the process of being rebuilt, potentially causing additional delays and a road hazard along the way.

Aldie shopping - A flea market is within walking distance and is held on Sundays from 11 - 5 during the flea market season. Here you can also find antiques, household goods, clothes, toys, and the inevitable Beanie Babies. There are also several antique stores, a pastry shop and even a bed and breakfast called the Little River Inn conveniently nearby.

Bar-B-Que - Some of the best bar-b-que we have come across in the area can be found at the Aldie Country Store (within walking distance of the mill). It is definitely worth bypassing your typical fast food joint to grab a bite here. However, seating is limited to a small bench on the front porch outside the store or an available step. Ambiance aside, it's worth the inconvenience.

Middleburg - Approximately 3 miles west on Route 50 is a small community known for its trendy stores lining its main street. If you are into more upscale dining, shopping or even a classy bed and
breakfast, you definitely want to check it out. We have found that even though the area is fairly yuppie, and known as the elite area of horse country, most of the natives are pretty friendly to bikers. We would like to especially recommend a brew on the porch of the Magpie Café.

Aldie Dam - Located ¾ mile west on the Little River. You can almost hear the children of yesteryear splashing in the water.