Lindsborg mill ready to turn again

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Apr 23, 2006

The Capital-Journal

LINDSBORG - The past comes to life May 6 and 7 at the Old Mill Museum with Millfest 2006.

The event celebrates Kansas heritage with tours of the 1898 Smoky Valley Flour Mill in operation, demonstrations of traditional arts, food and musical entertainment.

The 1898 flour mill operates only once a year. Unlike the older grist mill that used stones to grind, this mill uses corrugated rollers to process wheat into flour. It is the "grand-daddy of the modern mill." The Smoky Valley Flour Mill operated from 1898 to 1955, shipping flour across the world.

Volunteers completed its restoration in 1981.

The polished wood of the interior reflects the craftsmanship of an earlier era and the care lavished on the mill during restoration.

Guides walk visitors through the mill with all the machinery in motion. A new tour begins every 10 minutes. People age 13 and older can tour the mill from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. May 6 and noon to 4:30 p.m. May 7. Mill tours are limited to those older than 13 for safety reasons.

A first-floor viewing area outside the mill is available for those younger than 13. Families may tour the mill with their young children once the machinery is turned off (around 4:45 to 5 pm).

Music also fills the air throughout the Millfest weekend. Among this year's performers are the Flatland String Band, Princess Harris, the Hieberts, the Wheatland Oldtimers, and Mike Weis & Friends with traditional and bluegrass music.

The Millfest arts festival features regional artists who preserve arts traditions of the past. Artists showcase pottery, woodcarving, ropemaking, quilting, bobbin lace, wheatweaving, crochet, embroidery, knitting, tatting, baskets and pioneer toys.

Other demonstrations teach about daily life and work in the pioneer era. John Tillman, Boyd Silsby and friends will have steam and gas engines and vintage tractors on display. Through the weekend they will operate a Red Lion steam engine, buzz saw and corn grinder. Chet Erickson will display his miniature steam engines. Members of the Santa Fe Trail Association share stories of the trail, and the Kansas Anthropological Association showcase archaeology of the area.

Rounding out the pioneer activities, Goverland Stage Stop provides stagecoach rides around the area during the event. If modern transportation is more your style, don't miss the display of vintage motorcycles sponsored by the Kansas Motorcyle Museum.

The Chamber of Commerce sponsors a barbecue on the grounds from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. May 6. Other foods are available throughout the event, including kettle corn and cotton candy. Helen and Letty's Jellies offers homemade jelly. A bake sale features baked goods from area cooks, and visitors can take home Kansas flour products provided by the Stafford County Flour Mills.