at Gunpowder Falls State Park
The 228-year old Jerusalem Mill, once the centerpiece of the thriving Quaker settlement of Jerusalem in the 18th and 19th centuries, operated continuously for nearly two centuries. Located on the banks of the Little Gunpowder Falls River in Harford County, both the Mill and the Village are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Jerusalem Mill was acquired by the state as part of Gunpowder Falls State Park in 1961 and now serves as the Park Headquarters and Visitor Center.
MILL HISTORY
Its history began in 1769, when millwright Isaiah Linton and miller David Lee entered into a partnership to build a mill, one of 18 mills built by Linton. Lee and Linton selected a low-lying site along the Little Falls of the Gunpowder on a tract of land called "Jerusalem." In August of 1772, the project was completed, and David Lee began milling flour under the "White Silk" label for Baltimore and the surrounding areas, and soon after began shipping to locations around the world.
The original mill, known as Lee's Merchant Mill until the 1870's, was one of the important early mills in Harford County, and one of the largest in Maryland. It saw great changes in technology and economy through its two centuries of operation. The half-mile long race channeled water in through the west stone wall and out the opposite wall to turn two vertical overshot water wheels. These were later replaced by two horizontal water turbines which turned a vertical shaft driving the machinery above.
The ground floor served as the grinding level with 48-inch French buhrstones. The mill was converted to electricity after a flood broke the dam in 1940. The business evolved from the original merchant milling operation of Lee's Mill to a combination of services for the local farming community.
The 5-story, 60 by 30-foot mill building was framed using classic millwrighting techniques, featuring vast 2-foot square white oak posts supporting the oak ceiling, floors and stairways. Two tiers of three dormers on each side of the room provided light to the upper levels of the building where textile operations were housed.
VILLAGE HISTORY
The mill is only a part of the story. The surrounding village was also the site of a Gun Factory, Blacksmith Shop, Wheel-wright, Sawmill, General Store and Post Office.
The small two-story "Gun Factory" is located behind the mill building, where, during the American Revolution, Lee made gunstocks for the Maryland Militia. In later years, the building also housed, at different times, a cabinet maker's shop, a cider mill and a cannery. Today the building is used for colonial dinners, demonstrations of daily life for Eastern Longhunters, and other special events at scheduled times throughout the year.
Across the road, another restored building again serves as a Blacksmith Shop with regular demonstrations. The Jericho covered bridge, built in about 1865, is an important part of the Village.
Jerusalem Mill Historic Events
Blacksmithing Demonstrations -- Working demonstrations in contemporary and traditional techniques of iron working and smithing are offered on Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m.Colonial Living History -- Demonstrations of daily life activities of tidewater residents and eastern long hunters (frontier fur traders) of the 1700's are featured the first and third Sundays of each month from 1 to 4 p.m. Demonstrations vary and may include leather working, open hearth cooking, candle making, and sewing.
Colonial Craftsmen Weekend -- Held the second weekend in October, guests can visit the camps of eastern long hunters, French voyageurs, and tidewater colonials, hunters and traders from the 1750-1770 time period.
THE FRIENDS OF JERUSALEM MILL
The Friends of Jerusalem Mill was organized in 1985 to promote the restoration of the Mill and adjacent buildings. Through the efforts of the Friends group, the new Park Headquarters and Mill Museum were dedicated in 1995. The Museum is now open to the public and group tours are also available. Work continues on restoring the outlying buildings and creating museum exhibits that help visitors visualize the Village of Jerusalem. A current project involves planning the restoration of the recently acquired Village General Store.
The Friends of Jerusalem Mill meets monthly in the Mill and welcomes new members. The group's primary goal is to raise funds to continue the restoration and maintenance of this historic Village and interpret its history. Additional information is available on their website at www.jerusalemmill.org
Contact Gunpowder Falls State Park for times of operation and scheduled Mill activities. Inquiries may also be directed to the Mill Museum at 410-877-3560.
PARK LOCATION
- Hammerman -- From I-95 take exit 67A for Route 43 east (White Marsh Boulevard). Follow 43 to route 40 east. Turn right at the first light onto Ebenezer Road and follow it for 4.5 miles. The park entrance will be on your left.
- Monkton Station -- From I-83N, take exit 27 and turn right on Mount Carmel Road. Turn right on York Road and make a quick left onto Monkton Road. Follow it until it crosses the NCR Trail. Monkton Station will be on your left. Limited parking.
- Jerusalem Mill (park headquarters) -- From I-95 take exit 74 for Route 152 West (Mountain Road). Follow Mountain Road toward Fallston and turn left onto Jerusalem Road. Jerusalem Mill will be on your left after 1.1 miles. Parking is in the lot on the right, just before the mill.
Gunpowder Falls State Park
P.O. Box 480
2813 Jerusalem Road
Kingsville, MD 21087
(410)592-2897