Daniel Cragin Mill

The Daniel Cragin Mill is a historic watermill in Wilton spanning five buildings across four acres, featuring traditional woodworking equipment and water-powered machinery throughout the site. The complex demonstrates how mills once operated to produce wooden goods while harnessing water for mechanical power.

Eliphalet Putnam established the mill in 1817, and it was later operated under the ownership of Daniel Cragin before receiving National Register status in 1982. This designation acknowledged its importance as a preserved example of early American industrial water-powered manufacturing.

The mill produces wooden boxes and furniture using traditional techniques, with items sold through museum shops. This craft demonstrates how such facilities once supported local economies and created everyday goods by hand.

Visitors can join guided tours where live demonstrations of woodworking and milling operations are shown in action. It helps to wear comfortable shoes and allow time to explore the various buildings and machinery throughout the complex.

The site has specialized in crafting wooden measuring containers for over 150 years, maintaining this specific craft tradition across multiple generations. This focus on a single product type makes it a rare example of continuous artisanal continuity.

Location: New Hampshire

GPS coordinates: 42.85611,-71.78889

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:45