HISTORY:

The Morris County Park Commission acquired Cooper Gristmill in 1973, and opened it to the public in October 1978. The stretch of the Black River on which the Cooper Gristmill is situated is well-suited for the operation of water-powered mills.

In the 1760’s, Isaiah Younglove began a flour milling operation that lasted until 1788. Over the years, the mill went through several owners, with the present mill purchased by Retired General Nathan Cooper. He purchased the original mill in 1825 for $750, which included a gristmill and sawmill powered by two wooden water wheels. In 1826, General Cooper built the four-story gristmill that is standing today. Throughout the 19th century, the gristmill ground primarily wheat, but also corn, and other grains. With four sets of millstones connected by elevators to grain cleaners and flour sifters, the mill ground up to 10 tons of grain each day. This mill remained in operation until the early 20th century. Modern turbines installed in the 1870s replaced the mill’s two original wooden waterwheels. Today, the mill runs by an all-steel-Fitz Company waterwheel.

During late 2005 to the early 2006, James Kricker of Rondout Woodworking conducted repairs, fabrication, and installation of historic mill machinery on the second and third floors of the Cooper Gristmill. The goal was to complete the restoration and installation of the historic machinery to show and interpret the complete mill process from grain receiving, to cleaning, grinding, sifting, and finally bagging. This main work included the installation of the main drive and the power-train equipment that powers the machinery. New plank flooring was installed on the third floor and stairs up to the third floor. A dedication ceremony for the completed restoration was held in 2006, as part of the mill’s Annual Black River Day.