Restoration of Kirby's Mill
Latest update: Concrete piers poured on January 12!
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The picture at top shows that all this work is, in fact, at Kirby's Mill. Bottom left: the concrete mixing truck positioned alongside the creek. Bottom right: the concrete flows through hoses into wooden forms that replicate the size and shape of the old wheel support piers. Photos by Sandy Norris.
Why restoration of KIrby's Mill is important
Science. Inventor James Kirby built the mill in 1922 to generate electric power. Kirby's experimental design is based on much older grist mill technology, but he adapted it to work with a low flow stream. The hub of the water wheel is balanced on ball bearings and the wheel oriented for the most efficient energy transfer. The restored mill will showcase the technology of energy production. Its picturesque setting will make the mill an inviting gateway for learning about science and engineering
Jim Kirby in his mill workshop. The waterwheel drove a generator which powered the workshop machinery and provided electricity for his home across the lake. Image courtesy of Richfield Historical Society.
Beauty. The peaceful sight of water cascading over a slowly turning wheel in the rural landscape will evoke a feeling of timelessness and transcendence.
A quiet moment at Kirby's Mill 2016. Photo by Sandy Norris
Heritage. For over 70 years, Kirby’s Mill served as a beloved icon of the Cleveland and Lake Erie Girl Scout Councils. Council President Georgianna Bonds wrote: “The Mill has stood in the council as a symbol of Girl Scouting. The energy created by its movement has given light to the buildings around it. Its rustic beauty has made a landscape come alive with new interest. And its endurance has proved the value of sound foundations and constant purpose.”
Girl Scouts learning about Kirby's Mill at the National Senior Round Up at Camp Julia Crowell, 1968. Image from GSNEO archives
The Plan
Work on the mill will be completed in stages as the funds are raised.
Work on the mill will be completed in stages as the funds are raised.
- Architectural & structural engineering consultation - ALREADY PAID FOR through FoCH membership dues & the Ohio History Fund
- New roof – ALREADY INSTALLED AND PAID FOR thanks to generous donors
- Restored windows - three new windows on the west side ALREADY IN thanks to generous donors and volunteer craftsman
- Reconstruction of the water wheel IN PROGRESS ( Nov 1, 2021)
- Concrete repair of the water wheel pit and supports Done! ( 2022)
- Structural repairs to the mill house
- Replacement of exterior stairway
- Replacement of the swinging bridge
- Restoration of the flume ( water conduit between lake and wheel )
- Finishing touches: gutters, storm windows, gravel walkway
- Landscaping, viewing benches
- Hydroelectric generating equipment
- Educational displays and support
- Fundraising ( donor plaque for Gund Hall, mailings )
- Insurance, Security, Contingencies
- Endowment Fund for repair and maintenance
Total anticipated cost: $500,000
Raised as of November 1, 2021: $140,383.56
History of Kirby's Mill
Raised as of November 1, 2021: $140,383.56
History of Kirby's Mill
Project archive
2016 Architectural firm Braun & Steidle and Engineering firm Ohlin & Reed complete preliminary assessments of the mill for long-range planning. Further work is placed on hold pending the RHP Master Planning process and assessment of the Lake Jinelle dam.
Steve Schildhorn / Cornerstone Engineering site visit and initial consultation on the restoration of hydropower.
2017 The result of the RJRD Master Planning was that Lake Jinelle should be saved and the dam repaired. However it was not clear if the dam could be saved. Previous engineering studies showed that bringing the dam into compliance with the requirements of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources ( ODNR ) would drastically reduce the size of the lake or radically alter the surrounding landscape. Kirby's Mill is situated in the middle of the dam; the dam is the foundation of the mill. The mill could not be operations unless the dam was also. RJRD hired dam engineering firm Gannet Fleming who proposed what seemed like a viable solution.
2018 The Gannet Fleming dam plan was approved by the ODNR. FoCH applied for a grant to re-engage their 2016 consultants to draw up plans for the mill restoration.
Bob Matusek began rebuilding the mill windows.
2019 Ohio History Fund awards FoCH $15,250.00 for construction plans. The Ohio History Fund is made possible by voluntary donations of state income tax refunds, sales of Ohio History “mastodon” license plates, and other donations. www.ohiohistory.org/historyfund . Fundraising for the mill kicks off at Kirby Day in September
Phase One of dam repairs completed by Black Horse Construction, funded by RJRD through the 2014 bond issue. The entire dam becomes its own emergency spillway, faced with articulated concrete blocks that will hold the earthen substrate if/when flood water spills over.
2020 Construction drawings for the restoration submitted by architect Chas Schreckenberger of Prime Engineering and structural engineer Phil Reed of Ohlin and Reed. Approved by RJRD, sent to Columbus to be approved by the Ohio History Fund review board.
Coronavirus 2019 (covid) stalls fundraising and slows approval from the Ohio History Fund.
Rob Kazar begins filming promotional video for the Mill. Eagle Scout Candidate Ethan Horacek produces a documentary film on Kirby's Mill for his Eagle project..
2021.
Steve Schildhorn / Cornerstone Engineering site visit and initial consultation on the restoration of hydropower.
2017 The result of the RJRD Master Planning was that Lake Jinelle should be saved and the dam repaired. However it was not clear if the dam could be saved. Previous engineering studies showed that bringing the dam into compliance with the requirements of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources ( ODNR ) would drastically reduce the size of the lake or radically alter the surrounding landscape. Kirby's Mill is situated in the middle of the dam; the dam is the foundation of the mill. The mill could not be operations unless the dam was also. RJRD hired dam engineering firm Gannet Fleming who proposed what seemed like a viable solution.
2018 The Gannet Fleming dam plan was approved by the ODNR. FoCH applied for a grant to re-engage their 2016 consultants to draw up plans for the mill restoration.
Bob Matusek began rebuilding the mill windows.
2019 Ohio History Fund awards FoCH $15,250.00 for construction plans. The Ohio History Fund is made possible by voluntary donations of state income tax refunds, sales of Ohio History “mastodon” license plates, and other donations. www.ohiohistory.org/historyfund . Fundraising for the mill kicks off at Kirby Day in September
Phase One of dam repairs completed by Black Horse Construction, funded by RJRD through the 2014 bond issue. The entire dam becomes its own emergency spillway, faced with articulated concrete blocks that will hold the earthen substrate if/when flood water spills over.
2020 Construction drawings for the restoration submitted by architect Chas Schreckenberger of Prime Engineering and structural engineer Phil Reed of Ohlin and Reed. Approved by RJRD, sent to Columbus to be approved by the Ohio History Fund review board.
Coronavirus 2019 (covid) stalls fundraising and slows approval from the Ohio History Fund.
Rob Kazar begins filming promotional video for the Mill. Eagle Scout Candidate Ethan Horacek produces a documentary film on Kirby's Mill for his Eagle project..
2021.
- One is Good, Two is Better matching challenge campaign takes place over the 100 days of summer. Just over $50,000 is raised.
- Millwright Ben Hassett is selected to rebuild the water wheel.
- The Ohio History Fund final report is approved and grant funds are released.
- August 2 & 3. Ben Hassett's team dis-assembles the old wheel. The axle is taken to Kentucky to be re-furbished.
- October. Northstar Contracting company begins work on the wheel pit and finds that the concrete is too deteriorated to repair. Plans are made to replace the wheel pit walls, using up all the available mill funds and most of FoCH's general fund.
A new roof and windows April 2019
April 16, 2019
Off with the old, on with the new! Jon and Kitty Antalvari provided the funding for a new roof and three new, custom built windows for the front "face" of the mill. Helen Cappy contributed a generous portion of the re-roofing.
Off with the old, on with the new! Jon and Kitty Antalvari provided the funding for a new roof and three new, custom built windows for the front "face" of the mill. Helen Cappy contributed a generous portion of the re-roofing.
Before
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After
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The old roof had grown a veritable garden of moss and lichens.....
The new roof features" quarry grey" Duration shingles by Owen Corning.
The work was done by Professional Roofing Services, owner Mike Cappy
Millwright Ben Hassett (in blue shirt) points out construction features of the 1993 waterwheel while FoCH member Lynn Richardson and Park Director David Green look on.
The rim of the re-built waterwheel coming together at Ben's workshop. September 2021
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Close-up of rim detail showing slots for the water buckets. September 2021
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