Interview with Lyall Mather at Middleville and District Museum, Ontario (2005)
Lyall Mather (1925 - 2008) was a farmer in the Middleville area. This video was filmed while he was volunteering at the Middleville and District Museum.
- edited 2008 by Paul Weber
- filmed 2005 by Paul Weber
paulweber.ca
To Hell With The Bell
RTO District 29 - Lanark County To Hell With The Bell brunch. We were all called to attention. Some were late. Some were early. All of us responded to the bell. Held in Timber Run Golf Course, a grand time had by all.
Water Wheel in the Winter Bowens Mills
Historic Bowens Mills is a family owned and operated historical park.
The 19 acre historical park consists of:
• 1864 four story water powered working Grist Mill
• 1800's water powered working Cider Mill
• 1840's two-story Plank House, the oldest house in Bowens Mills
• 1850's one-room School House, the oldest in Barry County
• 1860's 11 room Victorian House built by the Bowens
• A Post & Beam Barn and Pioneer Farm area, home to Belgian Draft Horses, Miniature Horses, Chickens, Sheep, Goats and a Llama
• A Quaint Covered Bridge that crosses the Old Mill Stream
• 17 foot Water Wheel, completed in 1999
• Ye Ole Craft Shoppe an artisans woodworking & cooper shop.
• The Fork River Trading Post Log Cabin
• The Bowens Mills Gathering Place an Arts & Entertainment Center
• The Saw Millers Cabin down by the Old Mill Stream
• One-Room Restored Line Camp Cabin located near the Trappers Trading Post
• The Miller's Wife Store with many items reminiscent of bygone days including; Bowens Mills Fresh Ground Corn Meal and Amish prepared Apple Butter and Peach Butter, antiques, books, jewelry and gift items.
• Granny's Kitchen Restaurant prepares Hot Apple Dumplings with Ice Cream, warm Donuts, Chili, Hot Dogs, Cider by the glass and soft drinks.
The goal of the second generation owners of the Mill is the same as their parent's before them, to continue not only to preserve the history of the area of Yankee Springs, but to portray an image in the minds and eyes of all those who visit there; to give each one who visits a glimpse of the past, with the sights, sounds, and smells of the history that lies behind us, so that this generation can see and feel what those before us experienced, once upon a time.
Bowens Mills is a place beside the still waters of an old mill pond, away from the hustle and bustle of the busy world around us today. A place to take a step back in time, to that of the days of the 1800's and specific times there after.
All of the historical buildings in the park will be open with costumed craftsmen demonstrating and selling their wares.
Folks are encouraged bring their cameras and take a color tour through beautiful Yankee Springs Township and say Yes to Yesterday when you visit Historic Bowens Mills It's Cider Time Festivals.
ALL CIDER TIME FESTIVALS INCLUDE: Free Horse Drawn Wagon Ride with admission, Cider pressing demonstrations on the 100+ year old water-powered cider press, stone ground corn grinding demonstrations on the huge mill stones, Live Oldtime Music, Pioneer Farm with animals, along with many other history related activities. The It's Cider Time Festivals are Saturdays & Sundays from noon to 5pm, gate fee for adults is $5.00, Children 12 years and under $3.00.
The Old Mill is located in the heart of beautiful Yankee Springs Township, Barry County, MI just 2 miles north of Yankee Springs (Gun Lake) State Park. Watch for the Huge Millstone Marker at 55 Briggs Road, Middleville, MI 49333. Visit BowensMills.com or call 269-795-7530 for more information.