The Francis Mill Preservation Society has hired the Johnston Design Group of Greenville, S.C., to coordinate a historic survey of the mill that is required before it can apply to become be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Francis Mill Preservation Society is dedicated to restoring and preserving the historic water-powered grist mill in the Francis Cove area of Waynesville. A goal is to turn the mill into an educational site for school groups and interpretive programs.

The National Register of Historic Places is the nation’s official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation. It is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect our historic and archeological resources.

Francis Mill will make its application to the registry this fall.