Watson's Mill - Construction and Facilities

Construction and Facilities

Watson’s Mill was built using limestone quarried from the banks of the Rideau River, as well as wood cut locally and milled at the Long Island Sawmill. The Mill's interior is highly ornamented; the partners, Dickinson and Currier, wished to make the Mill a model for industrial achievement and business entrepreneurship. Watson’s Mill was powered by six turbines constructed in Joseph Currier’s foundry. The Ottawa Citizen newspaper described Watson’s Mill as “a castle in the air” on its opening day.

Today, Watson’s Mill still has much of the original machinery in working order. The following machinery is active in milling demonstrations:

• 3 of the 6 original turbines (others onsite but unused)
• 1 of the 4 original pairs millstones (another on display)
• Hopper and Grain Elevators
• Garner Bin
• Bolter
• Seed Cleaner
• Feed Grinder

Watson’s Mill continues to run milling demonstrations on Sundays during the summer season. Whole wheat flour milled onsite is available for sale in the gift shop as well as fresh whole wheat bread made from Watson’s Mill flour.