The work that we did to Colonel Ashley's colonial grist mill shows the necessity of experience and expertise in the preservation of historic buildings. This pre-Revolutionary, 18th century building continued to function as a mill up to 1955. After that time, this important structure began to deteriorate, the process not slowed, and sometimes accelerated, by half hearted, slap dash repairs put into place by contractors with no understanding of timber frame structures from this early era. As you can see from the images, we replaced sills (12 x 14 inches), posts and wind bracing. Please note the new bright work in the photos. Not shown is the previous work, corner posts way out of plumb, sill repairs installed in pieces. Note scarf joint in roof plate. Note we built hand crane to set plates into place.  Nature played a part in the deterioration of the building, allowing subsidence of the corner of the foundation and a substantial deflection of the sill as a result. We brought in a stone mason to correct this problem, note position (top to bottom) of the large white corner stone at left in the black and white photo and then note its position in the corresponding color photo. Our repairs to the gristmill will last because we addressed all the contributing elements to produce a durable, lasting repair. Colonel Ashley's mill is located in Ashley Falls, in the town of Sheffield, Massachusetts.

Eighteenth century grist mill photo.

Detail scarf joint mill plate. Note hand cranes for setting beams.

New work, compare white stone, lower left, with same in b/w period photo, note stone relaid to correct subidence in the foundation.

Side view new timber frame work on Col. Ashley grist mill.