Embreeville Mill

The milling complex, which features four principal buildings, originated in the 18th century. A 1756 deed mentions a "message, water, corn or grist mill and saw mill" here, located on about 6 acres. By 1769 there were two "messages or tenements" and over 100 acres of land. By 1856 the (by then) 146-acre property had a new stone house, a stone tenant house, a mill with 2 runs of burrs, a barn, wagon house, and a saw mill. The saw mill was stone and frame and measured 12 by 48 feet and contained an upright, a circular crosscut, and a circular ripping saw. The machinery, all "entirely new" was driven by a Howd's patent iron wheel. The grist mill was 3 stories stone and frame, used french burrs, had a corn breaker, smut machine, two bolting chests, and two elevators, and was driven by a pair of Tyler's patent iron wheels. In 1883-1885, the old machinery in the mill was removed and converted to the "new patent roller process." The new machinery helped the mill continue into the 20th century. In 1966, it was hailed as the "sole surviving water-powered mill on the Brandywine."