Restoration of the Francis Mill
A Preservation Partnership
2004-2019
The Francis Mill
The Francis Mill is a water-powered grist mill that was built circa 1887 by William Francis.Still owned by his descendants, it is one of few grist mills still in existence in Haywood County.The mill remained in operation for nearly 90 years and to this day contains much of its original equipment, including overhead belts and pulleys, wooden gears, and a variety of grinders.
The structure was on the verge of collapse when Tanna Timbes contacted HCN for assistance. The resulting partnership between Heritage Conservation Network and the Francis Mill Preservation Society (FMPS) generated hundreds of volunteer hours at the mill during week-long, hands-on building conservation workshops in 2004, 2005, and 2006. Today, the mill stands completely stable, fully enclosed and weather tight. Construction of the flume that brings water to the mill to turn the water wheel began at the Francis Mill in July 2006.
Several significant, and costly, tasks remain. Nonetheless, the FMPS is committed to their goal of having the mill operational and open to the public in 2007, 120 years after it was built. HCN will continue to provide technical and logistical support to the FMPS.
2004 Workshop
In 2004, the primary task was to replace the heavily deteriorated east side sill beam in order to stabilize the building. Work also included documenting the sill beam to be replaced, creating measured drawings of the east side of the building and putting in five new posts. Participants spent hours cutting and chiseling mortises and tenons on the new beam and posts. Serious effort was required to put in those posts, and in the end a crane lifted the 26’ replacement sill beam into place, marking the highlight of two solid weeks of hard work to save the building.
2005 Workshop
The 2005 workshop focused on three main issues: the east side framing, the building’s siding,and the beam that supports the millstones. Participants repaired the support beams under the mill stones and installed new posts in the east wall framing. They made joist end repairs and installed new floor joists and floor planks for the machine room floor, matching the original size and locations. They then reinstalled old siding and battens on the south side,including securing old siding on the east end of the north side. Other work included restoration of fascia and eave molding on the south end of the east side cornice. The last major task was the layout and installation of new siding on the upper east wall.
2006 Workshop
In 2006, the emphasis was on finishing repairs to the mill building and beginning reconstruction of the flume.Volunteers were able to lay out and cut the bridge timber, which is the support for the mill stones; repair the summer beam supports; repair mortise and tenons in the north and west beams; install blocking boards on the west side; replace siding on the front of the mill;and begin to build the supports for the flume.
The original flume stood until the 1980s, when it collapsed under a heavy snow. The flume tower foundations were cleared, excavated and poured.Five flume towers were completed.
2007 Workshop
The flume was rebuilt with funds from the Steele Reese Foundation.The FMPS’ “Bucket Up for the Wheel” campaign asked donors to contribute $100, the approximate cost per bucket, towards the purchase and installation of a new waterwheel.The new wheel was installed by the Water Wheel Factory of Franklin, NC and FMPS volunteers.The wheel turned at the 2nd annual Music at the Mill celebration.
2008 Workshop
Millwright, John Lovette, sharpened stones, replaced belts and gave volunteers lessons in milling. The Francis Grist Mill became a working grist mill in April 2008! The 3rd Annual Music at the Mill was held in the fall of 2008.
2009 Workshop
The Francis Mill Preservation Society was awarded the “Gertrude S. Carraway Award of Merit” by the Historic Preservation Foundation of North Carolina and a grant by the Bethel Community Organization. The Francis Mill played host to school groups and held the 4th Annual Music at the Mill.
2010 – 2012 Workshop
FMPS continued to host school groups, visitors, Cars and Cornmeal, and Music at the Mill.
2013 Workshop
In May, the Francis Grist Mill was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
2014 – 2015 Workshop
FMPS continued to host school groups, visitors, Cars and Cornmeal, and Music at the Mill.
2016 Workshop
The flume which was built in 2007 had to be replaced due to decay.
2017 – 2018 Workshop
FMPS continued to host school groups, visitors, Cars and Cornmeal, and Music at the Mill. The third wedding was held at the Francis Grist Mill.
2019 Workshop
The mill continues to welcome visitors from near and far, host events and school groups.
Support for the Mill
Restoration of the Francis Mill has benefited tremendously from the support of the local 
community. Each year, FMPS members, community businesses and well-wishers donated lunches and supplies for the work crews as well as lumber and other building materials used for the restoration work itself.
The partnership with Heritage Conservation Network has been very successful. During the three workshops, a total of 48 volunteers contributed more than 3,700 hours of labor in restoring the mill. That labor is valued at $555,000. An additional 150 volunteers provided everything from food to cranes. In-kind donations totaled more than$43,900.
Funding for restoration work at the Francis Mill has been provided by the Society for the Preservation of Old Mills (SPOOM), the Society for Industrial Archaeology, the Terence L. Mills Preservation Fund for North and South Carolina, the Haywood County Community Foundation,the JANIRVE Foundation, Steel Reese Foundation, James McClure Clark Foundation, Bethel Rural Community Foundation, Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, many individuals, local businesses, friends and neighbors.Learn more about the Francis Mill Preservation Society by visiting www.francismill.org. or to donate to the on going preservation of the Francis Grist Mill please send your tax-deductible donation to the Francis Mill Preservation Society, 14 Hugh Massie Rd, Waynesville, NC 28786.
