Bear's Mill, Industrial heritage museum in Greenville, Ohio, United States.
Bear's Mill is a four-story wooden structure standing along Greenville Creek that harnesses water power to move grain through different levels for processing and grinding. The milling system remains operational and demonstrates how grain was processed using natural energy sources in the nineteenth century.
Gabriel Baer established the mill in 1849 and imported French Buhr millstones because local stones proved inadequate for grinding operations. This investment in quality equipment shaped the mill's operations from the beginning and enabled reliable milling across generations.
The gallery inside showcases rotating exhibitions featuring paintings, sculptures, and photographs created by artists from the surrounding region. Visitors can experience how the historic building serves as a contemporary art space while maintaining its connection to the community.
The building houses a market selling stone-ground flours, prepared foods, gourmet items, local jams, clothing, jewelry, and handcrafted goods from regional artisans. The site is walkable throughout and offers various stops where visitors can engage with and understand the milling process.
The building contains hand-hewn timber beams that extend across great distances without joints, showing how carpenters worked with wood in the nineteenth century. These massive supports remain visible and functional today, testament to the craftsmanship of that era.
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