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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
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.")
We are a private not for profit corporation dedicated to the preservation of this operational Cider Mill Museum open to the public for research and education. We are staffed entirely by volunteers. Proceeds from events are used for developing our education and restoration programs and funding operating expenses. |
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© 2014 Ralston Cider Mill, 336 Mendham Road West, Mendham, NJ 07945 |
A tax exempt 501(c) 3 organization |