hanford mills, new york

Hanford Mills, East Meredith, New York - 2000

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At a steam threshers' show at Crown Point, Indiana, I told my friend, Jack Corson, of my plans. Jack grew up rural New York State, and I thought he might know of other interesting attractions in the area. He told me about the Hanford Mills Museum, a still-operating water-powered lumber mill and grist mill near Oneonta.
Using water from Kortright Creek, Hanford Mills started in 1846 as a water-powered up-and-down sawmill. Over the years the owners upgraded to a circular sawmill and added other businesses. Hanford's creamery also used water power, and they added a grist mill and machinery to the lumber mill for making butter tub covers, milk bottle crates and wooden handles.

After the Delaware and Ulster Railroad built a line into East Meredith, Hanford Mills had a way to ship products to the outside world. The railroad also brought competing products into the community, and soon the Hanfords opened a farm supply store where they sold feed, seed, coal and other necessities.

Hanford Mills operated until 1967, when it shut down and was sold at auction. A local man bought the land and buildings and as much of the equipment as he could, in order to keep it together. The following year he opened it as a museum.
The preservation group that operates it now acquired it in 1986 and has been working steadily to restore everything to the highest possible degree of authenticity. They are now searching for a 30-horsepower Oneida steam engine like the last steam engine that was installed in the mill.