A historic grist mill being restored in Waynesville is one step closer to becoming a heritage site and working grist mill that will offer educational programs.

An historic preservation workshop last month attracted 18 volunteers from nine states. They gained hands-on restoration experience under the direction of a professional, while providing free labor to the mill.

“The mill is enclosed and stable for the first time in many years,” said Tanna Timbes, Founder of the Francis Mill Preservation Society who launched the movement to save the 1887 mill.

The Francis Mill Preservation Society and Heritage Conservation Network hosted the two-week workshop. It was sponsored by grants from The Society for Industrial Archaeology and National Trust for Historic Places.

A similar workshop was held last summer and several volunteers returned this summer to continue the multi-phased restoration. One volunteer from last year’s workshop has since moved to the area to work on the mill.

The group installed new flooring on the machinery level, repaired rotten ends of a tie beam and cut mortises and tenons, Timbes said. The workers also made stone beam repairs, did Dutchman repairs and replaced the rotten top plate. On the last day of the workshop the volunteers installed siding on the water wheel side of the mill.

The Francis Mill Preservation Society’s goal is to restore the Francis Mill to a working grist mill and educational site. There will be future workshops and work days to put on the new battens, build the flume, repair the wheel and refurbish the machinery. Please call 828.456.6307 or go to www.francismill.org.