In Focus: Preserving the Mill … Preserves the Town

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It is at the center of the village along Main Street in Volant, Pa., with a dam on the Neshannock Creek.

The Mills is now used for shopping and gifts wrapped around two ton milling stones, gears, shafts through three floors, processing equipment, shuckers, and pulleys mounted in the ceilings.

The Mills is a restoration project of the Volant Community Development Corp.

Karen Rockenstein, on the board of directors with the V.C.D.C. which is the owner of the grist mill since 2008, said that the “Mission is to restore the grinding process.”

To control the water flow to power the turbine, Karen said that $9,000 is needed for the steel gates near the Neshannock Creek.

The dam is also property of Volant Mills and the dam was damaged from thick ice in the cold winter season of 2014-15. The water level needs to be higher for the water to reach the steel gates.

Karen said that the Corporation is seeking funding to repair the dam and that permits have been granted but don’t have the funding of $500,000 to complete the work.

“Preserving the Mill preserves the town,” said Karen.

Karen Rockenstein is framed with the new cribbing” used in the basement of the Volant Mills. The “turbine” is located below.
Karen Rockenstein is framed with the new cribbing” used in the basement of the Volant Mills. The “turbine” is located below.
Karen Rockenstein stands along the dam on the Neshannock Creek in Volant, Pa., that was damaged by the thick ice from the winter season of 2014-15. The water level is lower due to part of the wall of the dam’s collaspe.
Karen Rockenstein stands along the dam on the Neshannock Creek in Volant, Pa., that was damaged by the thick ice from the winter season of 2014-15. The water level is lower due to part of the wall of the dam’s collaspe.
Some of the pulleys on the third floor. The third floor is where the main processing was performed.
Some of the pulleys on the third floor. The third floor is where the main processing was performed.
One of several orginal machines used to process wheat products on the third floor. This is the top portion of a “buckweat shucker”.
One of several orginal machines used to process wheat products on the third floor. This is the top portion of a “buckweat shucker”.
A detail of one of the wooden pulleys on the third floor.
A detail of one of the wooden pulleys on the third floor.
Some of the pulleys used at the Volant Mills.
Some of the pulleys used at the Volant Mills.

Karen Rockenstein is behind a Bolting Reel on the third floor. As it revolved the flour would pass through the cloth material while the bran would remain in the reel.
Karen Rockenstein is behind a Bolting Reel on the third floor. As it revolved the flour would pass through the cloth material while the bran would remain in the reel.
Volant Mills was established in 1812 and is one of the few remaining wooden grist mills.

Photos, Saturday Features, Wide View