Each year tours of the site introduce visitors to the stories of Newlin Grist Mill and the people who lived, worked, and preserved this historic site. Occasionally, visitors share their own stories, which provide new information and details to the mill’s three century-long history.

During one of these visits, Lynn Stehling recounted memories of visiting her grandparents, Claire and William Brown, who lived at Newlin Mill in the Miller’s House from 1950 to 1960. After William passed away in 1960, Claire moved into what is now the Archive building until moving out in 1974.

The family witnessed the property transform from a commercial operation to a museum operated by the Nicholas Newlin Foundation. Our conversation with Lynn Stehling revealed information about this often overlooked period of the mill’s history. Also discovered were the origins and names associated with an often told ghost story of the Miller’s House.

After returning home, Mrs. Stehling spoke with her family about Newlin Grist Mill’s desire to document the site’s late-19th and 20th-century history. Her uncle, Major David J. Brown, agreed to share his collection of family snapshots. The collection consists of nearly eighty images, and provides a rare glimpse into

Newlin Grist Mill, its surroundings, and people who lived there.

While tours focus on the period of ownership by the Newlin Family (1682 –1817), these later periods of the site are important for understanding both the history and resources we are responsible for managing today.

Family Photos Shed Light On Mill History:The Major David J. Brown Collection

Table of Contents

2 David J. Brown Collection, Cont.

3 Summer DiscoveryFishingNewlin at Night

4 Bird WalksEarth DaySpring House Story Time

5 Collections/Research Highlights

6 Giant Sequoya Trees StudiedVolunteer Highlight

7 Donor List

8 Calendar of Events

Top to Bottom: Image of the site shows advertising and extra story on the house; Sandy the Collie is seen in many of the photographs and is reported to be buried near the Mill.

(Continued on pg. 2)

GRISTFrom the MillA publication of the Newlin Grist MillVolume 7: Issue 1 Spring/Summer 2013

Summer Discovery25 Years and Going Strong!Summer Discovery camps will once again be offered in July and August. Dates and Themes:Morning Sessions:July 1, 2, 3 July 9, 10, 11 July 16, 17, 18 July 22-26 July 30, 31 Aug. 1 Aug. 6, 7, 8 Aug. 13, 14, 15 Afternoon Workshops:July 2, 3, 10, 11 July 17, July 31 For details, descriptions, prices, and information visit www.newlingristmill.org or email agomez@newlingristmill.org.

Newlin At Night

We are excited to announce a brand new series of night time programs at Newlin Grist Mill. The Newlin at Night series will allow our community to explore the different facets of the park and historic buildings.

Friday, June 28th - Insects at Night, 8:00pm-10:00pmWhat kinds of creepy crawlies live at Newlin? Entomologist John Gruber will lead a discussion and in-depth study regarding local insects and why they are important. He will set up several study zones to reveal the kinds of insects that are active at night around Newlin Grist Mill. All collected specimens will be studied by John Gruber and the students of Friends Central School in Wynwood, PA and will be mounted for display and educational use. Cost: $5.00 per person.

Saturday, October 19th - Owl Prowl, 6:00pm-8:00pmJoin us for a nighttime hike through the park to find our resident owls. We will visit the Christmas tree maze and metasequoia grove to look and listen for owls. Our target species are Great Horned and Screech owls, but maybe we’ll get lucky and add a new species to our owl list! Cost $7.00 per person.

Saturday, October 26th - Historic Lighting, 6:30pm-8:30pmHave you ever wondered what our historic structures would look like by candlelight? Now is your chance to find out! Join us for a nighttime tour of the Miller’s House and historic lighting demonstration. Participants will have the opportunity to try a variety of daily 18th century tasks using period lighting. Visitors may even hear about some of the rumored hauntings of the site. We hope you will join us for this family-friendly Halloween event. Cost: $7.00 per person.

For more information about the Newlin at Night series, please visit www.newlingristmill.org, call 610-459-2359, or email info@newlingristmill.org. Pre-registration is required for these events.

Fi<hing in 2013This year pond fishing at Newlin Grist Mill opens on Saturday, March 30th. Hours of operation are Saturdays and Sundays 9am-4pm through October 27th.Admission for fishing is $5.00 per person. This includes the use of a cane fishing pole. The ponds are stocked with Rainbow Trout. Each fish costs $4.00. You must keep what you catch - we do not allow catch and release in our fishing ponds. Bait is also sold for $1.00. To fish, please register upon arrival in the Visitor Center.Detailed information about pond fishing and our stream fishing membership may be found at www.newlingristmill.org.

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Major David J. Brown Collection(Continued from pg. 1) It may not be obvious how a few snap shots can be valuable to historic preservation but these are the only images currently found from this period. They reveal the details of how the buildings appeared before historic restoration took place.

This collection has helped to answer research questions about the house. During a recent archaeological excavation, a structure on the north side of the house was located. Thanks to this collection, it has been positively identified as a porch. The beehive oven is also noticeably absent in these images; it was most likely added during the restoration of the house in the 1970s. This is also supported by the presence of a bake house behind the house. The images also show the alignment of the roof on the building thought to be a privy.

Other details are evident in these pictures. Several photos show the extra story now removed from the Miller’s

House. Signs painted on the buildings illustrate what businesses were operating. Other details such as grades, plantings, and the design of the Cheyney Road Bridge (destroyed by a flood in 197) are all identifiable.

Specific details about the Miller’s House are highlighted in this collection. Interior images show built-in shelving and walls that no longer exist. The backyard contained outbuildings including a bake house and what may have been a chicken coop. The design and location of the barn are also clearly visible in the pictures.

Top: A view of the house showing a bake house and porch addition – the site of recent archaeological investigations. Bottom: The barn that was later destroyed by fire.

The only known interior image of the grist mill prior to restoration is also included in this collection. We are grateful to Major David Brown for generously sharing these images with Newlin Grist Mill. They have provided important historical details while giving us insight into a time when the Newlin Mill site was home to his family.

If you have photographs, artifacts, or memories of life at Newlin Grist Mill and you are willing to share them, please contact us at (610) 459-2359 or tshahan@newlingristmill.org.

Time TravelersSuperheroes of NatureNature Meets ArtJunior NaturalistsGet Active in NatureWater WizardryWhere the Wild Things Grow

Pond FishingIce Cream Dreamin’

Nicholas Newlin Foundation Trustees/ Newlin Grist Mill Staff

Executive TrusteeMortimer Newlin Sellers

Vice-ChairTimothy Barnard

SecretaryVirginia DeNenno

TreasurerHenry F. Thompson, Jr.Board of TrusteesEliza Newlin CarneyVirginia DeNennoLawrence DunbarPatrick HarshbargerJohannes Jarka-SellersLucy Bell Jarka-SellersFrank J. McKelvey, Jr.Bill Newlin, Jr.William V.P. NewlinSusan Shisler RappFrances Stead SellersLucy Bell Newlin SellersMortimer Newlin SellersPeter H. SellersMarianne D. SquryesMason C. ThompsonMark Willcox III

EmeritiEllen M. CroninNicholas SellersAnthony F.C. WallaceMark Willcox, Jr.

Full Time StaffTony Shahan, DirectorLauren BurnhamKeith DomsRick FellowsAndrea GómezKevin MillerPart Time StaffSarah CarrollKelly CrodianKB IngleeBodge IngleeJessica Shahan

Grist From The MillDesign: Andrea GómezEditors: Andrea Gómez and Patrick Harshbarger

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We are proud to announce the return of bird walks to Newlin Grist Mill. The 160-acre park includes many habitats with a high diversity of bird species that call Newlin Grist Mill home, seasonally and year round. This year we will offer a series of four seasonal bird walks to birders, nature enthusiasts, families, photographers, and anyone interested in exploring the outdoors.

Sat. May 18th, 8am-10amSpring Migrants and Breeding BirdsJoin us for a walk to welcome back our migratory birds from their wintering grounds. On the walk, we will visit favorite stop-over locations where migrating birds refuel with high-energy foods. We will explore prime nesting habitat to see if we can spot any nests or young. Target species include warblers, thrushes, flycatchers, and bluebirds. $5.00/person.

Sat. June 15th, 8am-10amResident Summer BirdsEvery summer, the park serves as home for a wide variety of bird species. Join us for a walk through Newlin’s diverse habitats to meet these birds and discover how the

diversity of resources in the park helps provide food and shelter for our feathered friends. Target species for this walk include wrens, orioles, woodpeckers, and summer-time sparrows! $5.00/person.

Sat. September 28th, 8am-10amFall MigrantsCooler temperatures and shorter days trigger the migratory instincts of many species. On this walk, we will discover which birds are headed south for warmer weather and which have decided to hang around for winter. Target species include hawks, warblers, kinglets, and northern sparrows. $5.00/person.

We will also be offering an Owl Prowl on Saturday, October 19th from 6-8pm as part of our Newlin at Night series. To register, contact 610-459-2359 or email info@newlingristmill.org. We hope you will join us.

Bird Walks Return

Last May Newlin Grist Mill held its first Earth Day event with an amazing turnout of volunteers who completed a variety of environmental projects. Newlin Grist Mill is again calling on the community to join us April 20th from 10am-12pm for our 2nd annual Earth Day!

We are looking for groups, individuals, adults, families, and youth volunteers to help preserve the Park’s diverse ecosystems. This year we will be removing invasive plants and installing native species, cleaning the nature trails and mill raceway, and continuing our forestation project. Grab an extra pair of work gloves and come to the Park on Sat-urday April, 20th to lend a hand (rain date April 27th). Please register in advance by calling 610-459-2359 or emailing info@newlingristmill.org. Thank you for your support!

Phebe Sharpless Rolling PinNew in 2013, Newlin Grist Mill will be holding a Springhouse Storytime series for preschoolers (ages 3-5 years old).

Specifically designed for our smallest visitors, Springhouse Storytimes are highly interactive stories combined with movement activities, songs, games, and art projects. Each storytime will be held from 10-10:45am. Dates and story topics are:

Thursday Aug. 29th: Colonial KidsThursday Sept. 26th: Outdoor AdventuresThursday Oct. 24th: Fall Is in the Air

Info: www.newlingristmill.org oremail info@newlingristmill.org to sign up for our email list. Cost: $5.00/child. Pre-registration is required.

Birds From Top to Bottom:Carolina Chickadee, Northern Cardinal, Song Sparrow. These are all common birds of Newlin Grist Mill and examples of what we may see on the bird walks.

Earth DaySpringhouse Storytime

One object that was made available to the NGM staff to study was a rolling pin owned by Phebe Sharpless. Phebe lived from 1752–1826 and was the granddaughter of Nathaniel Newlin, builder of Newlin Grist Mill. The rolling pin passed through seven generations of Smedley and Rhodewalt families to its current owner, Karen Olivieri. An acquaintance put her in touch with the mill. The rolling pin is a unique design that offers a glimpse into the foodways history of the Newlin family. We are very grateful for the opportunity to study this piece of history and look forward to trying out the replica Ms. Olivieri graciously allowed us to make.

Newlin Grist Mill was contacted over the summer by an individual who had obtained a collection of early period clothing. The collection included a Quaker Meeting Dress, two caps, a bonnet, two scarfs, a shawl, and a reticule (which is a draw string purse). The assemblage of items is unusually complete for its age.

Based on an accompanying label, the dress was initially believed to be from 1700-1750 and worn by one of the first generation of the Newlin family in Pennsylvania. Close examination placed the style of dress ca. 1820-1830 although exact dating proved difficult due to alterations made to the garment.

The clothing had been purchased at the estate sale of Elizabeth S. Schwartz of St. Louis. Further investigation revealed that Mrs. Schwartz was a ninth-generation descendant of Nicholas Newlin who obtained the original land grant from William Penn in 1683. She was born in Wilmington, Delaware in 1918 the daughter of Harry and Ann (Newlin) Springer. The dress itself was possibly owned by Harriet Torton, the wife of Emmor Jeffries Newlin.

The Newlin Grist Mill acquired this collection in August and will continue to investigate its fascinating history.

Newlin Family Related Artifacts SurfaceCollections and Research Highlights

Quaker Meeting Dress

Silk Bonnet, Shaw, and Reticule Lace Cap Quaker Meeting Dress

From Left to Right: The rolling pin showing its unique design.Karen Olivieri and brother Dan Rhodewalt during a visit to NGM.

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Thank You For Your Support!Longwood Gardens Studies Giant Sequoia Trees

In the upper portion of Newlin Grist Mill is a grove of Giant Sequoia trees. E. Mortimer Newlin planted 50 Giant Sequoias as part of his attempt to create the park. Giant Sequoias are not native to this area and Southeastern Pennsylvania is not a conducive environment for growing them. We have worked diligently to keep these magnificent trees healthy, but over the past several years several have died, had to be removed, or are impacted by a mold called Botrytis Cinerea.

We are not alone in this struggle. Longwood Gardens recently had to cut down their Giant Sequoia tree due to Botrytis Cinerea. However, some of our trees do not appear to be impacted by this mold. Longwood Gardens recently sent a team of arborists to Newlin Grist Mill to take samples. They hope that some of our trees are truly resistant to the mold and will help propagate a better species of Giant Sequoia for this area.

Longwood Arborist Scott Wade, Nursery Manager Naomi McCafferty, and a Nursery Intern and Volunteer took cuttings from three different trees. The team plans to root some of the cuttings to see if they will root themselves. They also plan to use them to graft together the Giant Sequoia root stock with a Cryptomeria (Japanese Cedar) root stock, which survives better in this area. In total the team will visit Newlin two more times to take more cuttings. They also plan on taking samples from other Giant Sequoias in the area. While undergoing this process, they will determine if we have different varieties of trees or if some of our Sequoias have some sort of genetic resistance to the mold.

It will take years of experimentation before a tree might be ready to be planted. However, we are very glad to be part of this scientific process of discovery. In the meanwhile, we will continue to work to protect the trees and keep them healthy.

Volunteer Highlight: Meet Justin Filipowski

This January Newlin Grist Mill had the benefit of a week-long volunteer visit from Justin Filipowski. Justin currently works in the Historic Trades Department at the George Washington Distillery and Grist Mill at Mount Vernon. He became acquainted with Newlin Grist Mill through the Society for Preservation of Old Mills (SPOOM) and visited the site for the first time in September during a conference and workshop. He was gracious enough to return and spend his time away from work volunteering with brick analysis from this summer’s experimental archaeology project, processing a new collection for the SPOOM archives, and cleaning artifacts from our archaeology dig.

Justin graduated from Troy University with a B.A in International Affairs. He is currently working on his Masters degree in Museum Studies from Johns Hopkins University. Justin first became interested in historic mills while growing up around an old sugar cane mill on his grandfather’s property in Alabama. Outside of work, Justin enjoys tennis and is an active member of Kosciuszko Foundation, a Polish heritage organization.

Get Involved!We are always looking for new volunteers. Like talking to people? Working with objects? Being outside? Working on computers? Learning about history and the environment? We have a wide variety of projects for people of all ages, interests, and commitment levels.

We rely on volunteers to help us preserve the history and nature of our site. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Lauren at lburnham@newlingristmill.org or call 610-459-2359.

2012 Annual AppealJanet AmighiMarjorie BairdSteven BalmerTimothy BarnardWilliam and Rosemarie BarryTed BohannonJody BrownThomas BrutonRosalie BryantJames and Susan BullittJames Burns and Marion ChildsKim CajdaJames CantrellDan and Elizabeth CarneyBeth ChapmanLeon and Bernice ChettySamuel CiminoWilliam CovertJohn and Ellen CroninMark CroninJohn DavisAmy DelzingaroHarold and Virginia DeNennoClarissa DillonLawrence DunbarRobert and Susan ForresterWalter FoulkeLynn GabosDavid A. GilliardYvonne GoodwinSandra GordonDorrance HamiltonJohn and Carolyn Hanlon, Jr.J. Mervyn and Margaret HarrisPatrick Harshbarger and Eileen MapesJack and Gail HeathEvanggelos HionisKB IngleeJohannes and Lucy Bell Jarka-SellersRonald and Marylin JenningsRobert JurichJohn and Dorise KemperJeff KlingerEdward and Melissa KochRobert and Cindy KrausJoseph LesniakJeff and Anna LittmanDan MahoneyNancy ManzanoJohn MarquessFrank McKelveyW.Kenneth MendenhallRandall MillerKatherine Monday-SchieveninDavid and Nancy MontvilleSandy MorrisLouis MuchnickGary and Anne MurphyNancy Newlin NeumannBill NewlinJ. Shipley Newlin

John NewlinWilliam NewlinWilliam Newlin, Jr.David OgilbyDavid and Penny PageRory PalmerTory PapaMary Ann ParkerJohn and Susan RappJohn RicciMortimer and Francis SellersNicholas SellersPeter and Lucy Bell SellersAnthony SeveroniTony and Carol ShahanLaurence ShaheenChristine SharbaughSilva SmallMaria SmithBill and Ruth SnellElizabeth SolomonMichael and Marianne SquyresRadclyffe ThompsonHenry Thompson, Jr.Henry and Mason Thompson, Sr.Anthony WallaceWalter Bass WatkinsCharles and Janet WhiteMark Willcox, IIIFlorence WilliamsCharles and Anna WoodElsa Rapp WoodfinMinturn Wright IIILynae YoungTom Zaffarano

2013 Annual Appeal(Through 01/29/13)Marjorie BairdSteven BalmerTimothy BarnardWilliam and Rosemarie BarryLesley BerkeyheiserJody BrownThomas BrutonJames and Susan BullittJoyce Lynn BuntonJames Burns and Marion ChildsKim CajdaJames CantrellDan and Elizabeth Newlin Car-neyBeth ChapmanLeon and Bernice ChettyWilliam CovertJohn and Ellen CroninMark CroninGeorge Datto IIIAmy DelzingaroHarold and Virginia DeNennoLawrence DunbarAl and Marilyn EelmanPatricia FennGraham and Kay Finney

Robert and Susan ForresterWalter FoulkeTheresa FoxDavid A. GilliardJohn and Carolyn HanlonJ. Mervyn and Margaret HarrisPatrick Harshbarger and Eileen MapesJack and Gail HeathEvanggelos HionisEric HofmannKB IngleePatricia JenningsRonald and Marylin JenningsJohn and Doris KemperKenneth KephartEdward and Melissa KochRobert and Cindy KrausJeffrey LittmanDan MahoneyJohn Marquess and Linda CorsonFrank McKelveyRobert McLaughlinW. Kenneth MendenhallRandall MillerKatherine Monday-SchieveninDavid and Nancy MontvilleLouis MuchnickNancy Newlin NeumannDave NewlinGary NewlinWilliam V.P. and Louisa NewlinWilliam S. Newlin, Jr.John and Katrina OgilbyDavid and Penny PageJohn and Susan RappBill and Linda RussellMortimer and Frances SellersPeter and Lucy Bell SellersLaurence ShaheenWinona SimpsonSilva SmallMaria SmithElizabeth SolomonMichael and Marianne SquyresDan and Jane StaudBayard and Francis StoreyBlake StrineLuke and Carolyn TemplinRadclyffe and Maria ThompsonHenry Thompson, Jr.Vanguard Group FoundationWalter Bass WatkinsMark Willcox, IIIFlorence WilliamsWilliam Windsor, Jr.Charles and Anna WoodRichard WoodElsa Rapp WoodfinGary and Margaret WoottenMinturn Wright III

Donations and Sponsors (From 1/1/12-2/4/13)

Dabbs’ DayElsa Rapp Woodfin

Earth DayGreat American Clean UpHerr’sHome DepotKeep Pennsylvania BeautifulWawa

EducationCVSAmy DescovichWalter FoulkeYvonne GoodwinHerr’sKathy Monday-SchieveninCarol Shahan

Fall Harvest FestivalAqua Charitable TrustBeaver Valley BeveragesCarousel ToyotaChick-Fil-A: ConcordvillePatrick HarshbargerR. Webb ExcavatingStaplesWalmart Store #3252Wilmington Montessori School

In-Kind GiftsMitch BeaverRobert and Lauren BurnhamKB IngleeJim MurphyBill and Linda RussellCarol ShahanPaul and Dee Shepperd

Library and ArchivesKeith DomsEleanor Given

Tavern Night Patron FundEllen CroninGary and Anne MurphyMortinmer and Francis SellersWinona SimpsonPamela Jane Stephanie

Tavern Night SponsorsPenns’ Woods WinerySusan RappSherry RutterRich Wagner

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Address Service Requested NonProfit OrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDWest Chester, PA

Permit #503

Newlin Grist Mill219 S. Cheyney Rd.Glen Mills, PA 19342P: 610-459-2359info@newlingristmill.org

Hours: Visitor CenterMarch-November;9am-4pm

December-February10am-3pm

Hours: Park9am-Dusk

Tours: Monday-Friday:11am & 2pm

Saturday and Sunday10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm

www.newlingristmill.org

VISIT US!

Newlin Grist Mill219 South Cheyney Road, Glen Mills PA 19342610-459-2359 | www.newlingristmill.org Like us on Facebook

Nicholas Newlin Foundation

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

MARCHSaturdayMarch 30

Fishing Opens9am-4pm, Weekends

Stream Fishing Member Breakfast8am, Invitation Only

APRILSaturday

April 6

SaturdayApril 20

Iron Making at Newlin10am-3pm

Earth Day (Rain Date: April 27th)10am-3pm

OCTOBERSaturdayOctober

5Fall Harvest Festival10am-4pm

NOVEMBERSaturday

November2

Tavern Night*7pm-9:30pm

Email info@newlingristmill.org to receive email updates about our events. *Preregistration is required.

BRICK MAKINGFridays and Saturdays

May 24, May 25June 21, June 22July 26, July 27

August 23, August 24

ARCHAEOLOGYSaturdays

May 18 June 8July 13

Sept. 14Oct. 12Nov. 9

BIRD WALKS*Saturdays

May 18 Spring Migrants & Breeding Birds June 15 Resident Summer Birds Sept. 28 Fall Migrant Birds Oct. 19 Owl Prowl

SPRINGHOUSE STORYTIME*Thursday Aug. 29 Colonial KidsThursday Sept. 26 Outdoor AdventuresThursday Oct. 24 Fall Is in the Air

NEWLIN @ NIGHT*Friday June 28 Insects @ NightSaturday Oct. 19 Owl ProwlSaturday Oct. 26 Lighting @ Night

8am-10am8am-10am8am-10am6pm-8pm

All Story Hours10am-10:45am

8pm-10pm6pm-8pm6:30pm-8:30pm