October 13, 2018 | The juice is worth the squeeze at Ralston Cider Mill

We are pleased to share a wonderful video editorial produced by Lauren Wanko, PBS Channel 13, NJTV News, www.njtvnews.org.

ENJOY!

October, 2017 | Hidden Cellar Rehabilitation

Cellar walls and partial garage floor framing (see below) replace the collapsing foundation walls (at right) of the garage that was used to bottle, package and store applejack prior to shipment.

To hide the bottling and storage room, the garage was built on piers with a recessed cellar. As a result, the underground room was not visible when viewed from the EXTERIOR.

A finely crafted access hatch in the wood floor of the INTERIOR, below a parked vehicle, concealed the access to the cellar.

An underground pipe from the still room brought applejack to the CELLAR to be bottled, packaged and stored ready for delivery.

October 8, 2016 | Annual Apple Pressing

A perfect autumn day was the setting for the Annual Pressing at Ralston Cider Mill. More than 150 visitors enjoyed Fresh Cider from the "Man in the Vat" after experiencing the pressing of over 100 bushels of apples.

Each bushel, weighing approximately 40 lbs., yields between 3 and 3-1/2 gallons of fresh cider making the day's total production of cider over 300 gallons!

The apples used were locally grown and donated by Alstede Farms of Chester, NJ. Historically, New Jersey was the largest producer of apples in the country. Morris County was second only to Hunterdon County in production of apples.

A blend of apples is used to make cider. These usually are Macintosh, Macoun, Cortland, Red & Golden Delicious, Ida Red and Jonagold.

August, 2015 | Entry Porch Restoration

Preparation of our revised Preservation Plan and historic post card photographs provided the documentation needed to restore the entry porch.

Funding was provided by grants from the 1772 Foundation, the A.P. Kirby Jr. Foundation, Inc., and donations from individual donors.

May, 2014 | Parking Lot Lighting

Repurposed historic light fixtures from the Morristown RR Train Station now provide illumination for the parking lot and entry court.

August 5, 2013 | Recently discovered photos and artifacts found at the Ralston...

Recently discovered photos and artifacts found at the Ralston Cider Mill revealed the general location of additional structures. This dig, to determine the exact location and size of the structures, is part of preparations to revise the Preservation Plan for the mill site. The new plan will enable rebuilding of structures to present a more accurate depiction of the complex as seen below in the historic post card the mill.

Seen at bottom are stone foundations for the Vat Storage Building.

August 5, 2013 | Roof Restoration

With major grants from the A.P. Kirby Jr. Foundation, Inc. and the 1772 Foundation, and donations from individual donors, thirty year old deteriorating roof shingles were able to be replaced.

Hand split cedar shingles, the same type as the original ones, were used except that the new shingles are fire treated. Roofers took care to protect the exposed third level of the mill from removal debris and used temporary covers to shed the rain. All shingles were hand nailed to the wood rail laths.

The restored roof provides new weather and fire protection and complements other exterior restoration efforts.

Pictured at bottom, the Mulcahy Contracting Roofers are proud of their restoration work.

March 21, 2013 | Chester, NJ Cub Scouts enjoy a fun (and educational) October...

Chester, NJ Cub Scouts enjoy a fun (and educational) October outing at the Ralston Cider Mill.

"I just wanted to thank you again for the amazing tour that you provided to our cub scout den, Pack 316, Den 7 yesterday. The tour was very interesting for both the boys and the parents. We all learned so much more about our local history. It was really an enriching experience. In speaking with some of the parents, they were really impressed by the restoration of the mill and the depth and breadth of information provided to us. Many of us passed by the mill hundreds of times, not really knowing what a treasure it was! Thank you for your dedication to the preservation of this landmark!" — Monica Mulligan

March 21, 2013 | SPOOM visits the Ralston Cider Mill

This September, more than 100 SPOOM (Society for the Preservation of Old Mills) members from all over the country visited the Ralston Cider Mill as part of their annual meeting in Bucks County, PA.

July 5, 2012 | Saving an historic outhouse

Why save an outhouse? An outhouse for workers was once located behind the Ralston Cider Mill on Route 24 in Mendham says the Ralston Cider Mill preservation committee chair, Raymond Nadaskay. So when historic preservation efforts couldn't save an 18th century home in Brookside, its bathroom — an historic outhouse — was removed and trucked to the Ralston Cider Mill by R & R Construction of Chester at no cost to the town. (R & R also built the mill's parking lot, also at no charge.)

"I don't know of any other outhouses in Mendham," Nadaskay said. "This was an opportunity to put something back at the mill that will be an educational tool." The Ralston Cider Mill is New Jersey's last remaining cider mill and visitors of all ages enjoy tours of the building and grounds to explain the history and complex construction of the mill. The relocated outhouse will not be usable, but the addition of this historic building to the property will enhance the overall historic experience.

October 25, 2011 | The Ralston Cider Mill is always pleased to entertain students...

The Ralston Cider Mill is always pleased to entertain students from far and wide. This past September, these 4th grade students enjoyed learning about the Mill and sampling some delicious apple cider.

October 25, 2011 | Annual apple pressing at the Ralston Cider Mill

The best tasting apple cider you can imagine was pressed on October 15. It's a popular day at the Mill as apples are loaded onto the conveyor belt — the first step on the way to fresh cider. We pressed fresh apples by the truckload while our visitors watched the entire process of making apple cider at the Ralston Cider Mill — and they tasted the fresh cider too!

April 26, 2011 | Rebuilding the Ralston Cider Mill

Rondout Woodworking, led by James Kricker, is a unique group of master woodworkers located in Saugerties, NY. Their goal is to deliver a level of craftsmanship that compliments the skills of the 17th to 19th century millwrights, boat builders, and timber framers who originally built the historical structures they work on. Their Website provides some wonderful photos and details about their work at the Ralston Cider Mill.

To see photos of the mill before and after it was restored, view the following links:
Before Restoration Photos  |  After Restoration Photos

("For the next several decades the building [Ralston Cider Mill] sat idle with weather taking its toll. Large sections of the roof failed, floors collapsed and the heavy machinery started to succumb to gravity. The roof was repaired several years ago but nothing was done to the structure or machinery inside the mill. From the photos you can see the extent of the deterioration inside the mill that had taken place once the building was abandoned. After the roof failed the floor structures were greatly weakened by exposure to the elements. When we started work the building was very unstable and quite dangerous. Our first priority was to create a safe working environment.")