Simple Machines at the Mill

Our current Science unit has us studying simple machines.

I wanted the children to see how simple machines 

work together to make more complex machines.

While looking for a field trip opportunity,

I discovered Colvin Run Mill. 

A 200 year old running mill only 25 minutes from our home.

When we arrived, no one else was visiting the Park area.  

We surprised the women working on inventory at the General Store.

They were open, but Saturdays aren't their busiest times,

since many of their visitors come with public school trips.

We were able to arrange a personal tour.

We passed their restored Black Smith shop,

and walked to the Miller's House.

An addition was added around 1883, 

when the last Miller moved in.

It was necessary, to accommodate his wife and 20 children.

The Mill's site was ideal, 

because of its closeness to water, hardwood trees, 

and the main road used for transport at the time.

It is built from a mix of original and replacement brick,

and almost all wooden workings.

We saw the "run" which would've been just a ditch

when the mill was originally built.

The run leads to the Flume.

The Miller can control the speed of his grinding,

by setting the speed of the waterwheel.

He does this by adjusting the flow allowed to pass through the channel

which then pours into the buckets of the wheel.

There were used mill stones set into retaining walls

and as decorations near the buildings.

This allowed the kids to touch them, and see how the millstones 

were made almost like a puzzle of smaller stones, 

banded together with a metal strip.

When we entered the mill, we saw our first simple machines.

This grain scale weighed what farmers brought to the mill.

Levers and inclined planes made this scale and hopper.

Once weighed, the grain would drops down into a bin,

to be stored until it is ground.

There was a small grain fan that we got to see in motion.

This was just a small representation of how the miller

separates the grain from dirt, chaff, sticks and stones.

Here we saw wheel and axles, levers, and inclined planes.

Caleb is showing what they are after, in this case, wheat berries.

Grain elevators are used to carry grain from the bins

up to the more elaborate and much larger fanning system the mill uses.

This is an amazing pulley system.

The grain then travels through wooden channels,

using Archimedes' screws to move horizontally,

and inclined planes to move downward. 

Finally the grain drops down to the grindstone.

A huge screw is used on this wooden crane,

to lift the runner stone, which weighs over 1000 lbs.

This simple machine makes it possible for only 2 men 

to lift and move the stone into place.

The bed stone is set in the floor, with a spindle 

in its center ready to receive the runner stone.  

This wheel and axle set up allows for the top stone

to move and grind the grain.

***Interesting Story***

The guide told us that the stones cannot touch during the grinding process.

If they do, it results in a foul smell that can ruin the finished product.

That is why millers have to "keep their noses to the grindstone".

Once ground, flour or meal is collected into the small opening 

next to the stone, and sent by inclined plane down to a bin for storage.

The bins have rotating rakes that cool the flour and keep it from clumping.

We went back outside, to see the waterwheel.

It was so much larger in person than it looked in pictures.

We learned how the water stays absolutely clean,

and is able to flow right back into local water supplies.

Then we went down into the gear pit.

This massive assembly is made almost entirely of wood.

Designed by a man named Oliver Evans,

Wheel and axles, levers, pulleys and screws 

are the hidden workings of the mill.

Here is the main lever used to engage the large face gear,

which is turned by the waterwheel.

Once engaged, the miller can run 1, 2, or 3 lesser face gears.

These turn smaller birdcage gears, 

which each spin their own runner stone on the floor above.

It really is, as the tour guide put it, a symphony of simple machines.

While they were not grinding the day of our visit,

we can go back for free when they are in production.

We couldn't have been more pleased with our time here.

Our tour guide answered every question we had, and taught us so much more.

They had videos the show the children each part in use all along the tour.

We decided to stop back by the general store, 

to purchase some fresh cornmeal 

which they made during their last milling session.

It cooked up beautifully into sweet cornbread for our dinner.

I'm so grateful we found this historical gem -

it made our Science unit really come to life!

Monticello with Marigold

Our good friends, the Dorsetts were visiting last weekend.

 I had the opportunity to finally see Monticello.

Marigold was the only one of our kids who was interested in

going to tour the site rather than staying home to play.

The drive down is so beautiful-

Lots of open space in the rolling green hills of VA.

The visitors center is lovely-

Very rustic and shaded by mature trees.

We watched a film about Thomas Jefferson's life.

Then we toured the Museum, 

and got to see first hand many of the architectural projects,

inventions, and agricultural endeavors which he pursued in his lifetime.

I love this print of the Declaration of Independence

Here is what Monticello looked like from the original plans-

before he tore it down and started over.

It took over 40 years to complete!

We took a shuttle from the Visitor's Center up to the house and property.

The views from the top were amazing!

Even the vegetable garden was beautiful.

 - 

It was difficult to get a picture of the whole outside of the house-

especially because of the time of day and position of the sun.

While we waited for our house tour, 

we looked at properties on Mulberry Row,

where Jefferson's slaves once lived.

There were artifacts found showing that even slave's dishes 

and belongings at Monticello were very ornate.

Much nicer than what most slaves of the time would have owned.

Many slaves learned trades from hired workers.

This gave them unique opportunities to produce and sell

on Mulberry Row, as well as better themselves

 to secure more desirable work positions.

Unfortunately, no photography whatsoever was allowed inside the house,

but the tour is well worth the time.  

His many collections of artifacts, books, maps, and artwork 

lined the shelves and hung on the high walls.

Attention to detail was evident in the intricate moldings and room shapes.

His use of French design elements made the interior 

very comfortable, even glamorous for the time period.

His love of invention was evident in the self closing doors,

wine dumbwaiters, and swiveling food buffet.

Lastly, we toured under the house, seeing the privy, 

carriage stalls, food & wine cellars, and the kitchen.

Jefferson was a truly remarkable human being.

I was so glad to share this experience with 

the Dorsett ladies, Mason and baby Clayton, 

but I was most happy to explore with Marigold.

It was fun to see her enjoying the tours, learning, 

and recording her perspective by taking her own photographs.

I'm so proud of the beautiful, 

smart, observant, tall young woman she's grown into.

Civil War Weekend - Gettysburg

Gettysburg just happens to be halfway between our home

 in Virginia and our house in Pennsylvania.

The three oldest kids and I decided to stop and visit over the weekend.

 After discussing our options, we opted to stay at the visitors center,

and finish the part of the workbook focused on the material we

would learn during our tour inside.

They have a very well made film about the Civil War, 

full of information about what led up to the start of fighting,

important figures of the war, the Battle of Gettysburg, 

and the outcome of the war itself.

The kids were excited that Morgan Freeman was the narrator.

(or Vitruvius, from the Lego movie, as they know him)

Next, we made our way up to view the Cyclorama painting.

We were all impressed at the incredible size and detail.

They asked that we not take photos of the cyclorama,

but here is a link to a 360* video of this impressive work of art.

Afterwards, we toured the museum.

I was pleased with how much information the children 

were seeking out on their own in order to finish the pages in their 

Junior Ranger book.

I let Caleb be our photographer during most of our visit.

He took some fun photos of the displays.

In the end, the children were so happy to earn their badges.

We will defiantly go back to do the driving tour another weekend.