Flume Project Wins Award
(Image above: Elizabeth Hughes (center right), Director of the Maryland Historical Trust, with the award recognizing the Flume Restoration at the Shriver Grist Mill. With Hughes are Kyle Dalton (left), Commissioner Kenny Kiler (second from right), and members of our State Delegation.)
The Maryland Historical Trust recognized the Flume Restoration Project at the Union Mills Homestead with a Preservation Project Excellence Award for Preservation Partnerships at an award ceremony on May 5, 2023. Elizabeth Hughes, director of the Maryland Historical Trust, presented the award at an event held at the historic Shriver Grist Mill.
The flume restoration at the mill, completed in 2022, was a result of a partnership between the Homestead Foundation, Carroll County Government, and millwright Ben Hassett who performed the restoration work. The Maryland Historical Trust funded much of the project cost via a $96,000 Capital Grant to the Foundation.
The restored flume at the Shriver Grist Mill at Union Mills shortly after project completion in 2022.
The project restored the flume at the 225-year-old mill to working condition, enabling water delivery from the millrace to the mill’s waterwheel, educating the public about the region’s historic milling industry and entertaining visitors to the site. Restoration work involved removal of decayed portions of the flume, headgate bridge, and related gates; and careful restoration following drawings prepared by millwright Derek Ogden in connection with the original 1980s restoration.
The project was the product of extensive, successful collaboration between the site’s major stakeholders including the Homestead Foundation, Carroll County Government, and the Maryland Historical Trust. The County owns the historic site and the Homestead Foundation operates the site under a long-term lease. Carroll County endorsed and supported the Foundation’s pursuit of the Historic Preservation Grant award for the flume’s restoration, and then provided superior project management under an MOU with the Foundation. Carroll County worked closely with the Foundation and ensured that a top-notch contractor (Ben Hassett) was selected. Successful coordination and collaboration among the stakeholders resulted in an excellent restoration project.
Carroll County Commissioner Kenny Kiler received the award on behalf of the County from Director Hughes. Also recognized at the event were Dean Leister, a project manager from the County’s Department of Public Works – Building Construction team, and John Boag, the miller at the Union Mills Homestead.
The award from the Maryland Historical Trust was a great way to celebrate the strong partnerships involved in this outstanding project! Thank you to everyone who made this project possible!