Historic grist mill at Eden Mill to close temporarily Monday

The Harford County Department of Parks and Recreation is closing the historic grist mill at Eden Mill Nature Center and Park this Monday for several months, as the exterior of the more than 200-year-old mill is renovated.

Workers will replace the exterior wooden siding and the building's 39 windows, Paul Magness, parks and recreation's deputy director, said Thursday.

"The siding that's there has run its course," Magness said. "It's at the end of its useful life."

The Eden Mill Nature Center next to the mill and the rest of the park grounds will remain open while the work at the mill is progress.

Magness explained that the windows and siding on the mill building must be replaced to ensure water does not leak into the structure during a rain storm.

"Water can very easily penetrate into the historic mill, and this will certainly help with that issue and protect the inside," Magness said.

The mill in Pylesville is a Harford County registered historic property, and the renovation project received approval from the county's historic commission in February.

Magness said the commission members had to ensure "replacement construction materials that we're using are going to match the existing size and color of the structure."

The county has a $194,280 contract with L.C. Bathon Builders. The mill is expected to be closed for tours for four months.

Magness said the contractor is "confident" the work will be completed in time for Eden Mill's annual Fall Fest scheduled for Nov. 8.

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Historic grist mill at Eden Mill to close temporarily Monday