Address: 2710 Decew Road, St. Catharines, ON.
Tel: 905-688-6050
The Morningstar Mill Park and Museum invites visitors to experience the pioneer spirit at this historic 19th century limestone gristmill. Visitors are invited to take a tour of several historic buildings on the site including the gristmill, turbine shed, millers house, barn and the sawmill. The historic gristmill is perched alongside the lovely Decew Falls on the Niagara Escarpment . It has been fully restored and produces flour and cereals as it did in the past. The mill is considered one of the first milling operations to be powered by a water-powered turbine instead of a traditional waterwheel.
Built in 1872 Morningstar Mill was named after Wilson Morningstar, a farmer who purchased the mill in 1883. With the advent of hydro-electric power, Morningstar set up a generator to the mills turbine and was able to power the mill by electricity. He was also able to power his farmhouse, making it one of the first homes in the region to use electricity. Morningstar would eventually expanded his business building a sawmill. There was also two blacksmiths, and a carpenter shop on the property. The mill was burned down in 1895, but was rebuilt and operated until Morningstar’s death in 1933 when it was shut down.
The museum is open May to early October, on weekend’s noon to 5 pm, Tuesday and Thursday 9 am to 2 pm. Closed on statutory holidays.
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