Spofford Sawmill

01

Artifact Overview

Sawmills were among the first mills in new settlements, supplying lumber for people's homes and barns. Henry Ford had this mill built in Greenfield Village to house early up-and-down sawmill machinery. One of the large beams holding up the building came from a water-powered sawmill that George Spofford operated in Georgetown, Massachusetts, back in the 1600s.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Sawmill (Factory)

Date Made

1940

Subject Date

1680-1855

Creator Notes

The sawmill was designed by Edward J. Cutler for The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. It was built in 1940 using some materials from the original late 17th century mill in Georgetown, Massachusetts.

Location

at Greenfield Village in Liberty Craftworks District

Object ID

29.3058.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Wood (Plant material)
Stone (Worked rock)
Metal
Glass (Material)

Technique

Reconstruction (Construction)