Bear’s Mill to host national conference

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GREENVILLE – In the fall of 2016, Bear’s Mill will host the national Society for Preservation of Old Mills (SPOOM) Annual Conference. The three-day event, Oct. 20-23, will bring close to 100 people from various parts of the United States to Greenville.

“The Friends of Bear’s Mill are honored to have been asked to host this big event,” Board President Carl DeSantis said, sharing the board’s enthusiasm. “We are ‘gearing-up’ to welcome fellow millers and preservationists, and are proud to share the rich history of Bear’s Mill, a museum of unique cultural artifacts and the cultivation of local and regional arts. Our guests will see Darke County and other sites in the Miami Valley during the peak of autumn, the most beautiful time of the year in Ohio.”

While attending the 2015 SPOOM Conference in Sonoma Valley, California this past November, Bear’s Mill Executive Director, Marti Goetz met interesting people from all over the country who own, restore, volunteer in and, in some cases, operate old mills. She learned that “SPOOMERS” also enjoy taking in all genres of historic sites. “Darke County will surely impress these visitors,” Goetz said. “The Garst Museum’s exhibits of the Native American Council and Anthony Wayne’s signing of the Treaty of Greenville will be fully appreciated by conference participants. Naturally, Shawnee Prairie will be on the tour, also. We will give the conference attendees some time in Greenville to shop and dine. So, if you see SPOOMERS ‘milling around’ town, extend a welcome and offer any history you know of the area that you would like to share.”

Of course, the focus will be on Bear’s Mill. SPOOMERS will appreciate the well-constructed and preserved structure, its fabulous collection of original equipment and current use of the old buhr grinding stones from France. Terry Clark will provide technical information from his learned vantage of over 37 years as master miller at Bear’s Mill. Fellow millers will share their practices of grinding and caring for the machines used in their mills. And the Friends of Bear’s Mill plan to host a picnic on the north lawn for their guests. Other mills that will be on the tour are Staley Mill with the Indian Creek Distillery, Tipp Roller Mill, Clifton Mill, and the replica mill at Dayton’s Historical Carillon Park.

An optional day of touring the Miami Valley will be offered to include more Native American historical sites, aviation, automobile and railroad history and possibly a culinary-focused trip.

Volunteers are needed for the planning and carrying out this special event. For more information and to join the fun, call Bear’s Mill, 937-548-5112 or email [email protected].

Marti Goetz, executive director of the Friends of Bear’s Mill, poses at Bale Grist Mill near Calistoga, California, which hosted teh 2015 SPOOM Conference. Bale Grist Mill is powered by a 45-foot diameter water wheel. Bear’s Mill will host the 2016 conference.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_webmill.jpgMarti Goetz, executive director of the Friends of Bear’s Mill, poses at Bale Grist Mill near Calistoga, California, which hosted teh 2015 SPOOM Conference. Bale Grist Mill is powered by a 45-foot diameter water wheel. Bear’s Mill will host the 2016 conference. Courtesy photo

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