Benfield Mill

Condominiums Today - Adaptive Use

 
Benfield Mill as it appeared in the 1800's.   The mill as it appears today with a series of condominiums.

Benfield Mill was one of several mills in the Perkasie area. Beginning in 1919 the mill was owned by Claude E. Benfield. An addition was added in 1927 and in 1930 he installed a new flour mill. A grain storage bin was erected in 1945. In 1948 Harold F. Benfield took over as president of the company. When the mill closed, the building was sold and the structure converted to condominiums. The building design incorporates many of the original structures and exposes them to add significant charm to the building today.

The mill processed grain and flour from area farmers.

This sign is one of a number of mill signs on display in common areas of the building.

 
Signage on the exterior of the building has been maintained.   These surfaces on the bricks were repainted when the structure was converted to condominiums.
 
In converting the building to condominiums, the architect was careful to keep the building somewhat authentic. These original beams are exposed at the top of the stairwell.   Large hand cut beams are visible in the basement. We know they were sawn by hand because of the tool marks that appear on the side of the beams.

ARTIFACTS ON SITE

 
These wheels and pulleys and other machinery are still in place in the basement of the mill.   An engine used to power the mill is also found in the basement.

Millstone outside of the Benfield Mill today.

 

When the mill was in use, grain was crushed between flat stones called millstones. Two stones, one on top of the other were used to grind the flour.

The surface of the millstone was called the land and a series of groves called furrows were carved into the stone. The furrows removed the grain's outer husk, directed the ground flour to the outside of the wheel, and allowed air to pass through the stones to let out heat created during grinding.

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 RECONSTRUCTING AFTER A FIRE PRUDENTIAL GRIM, BIEHN THATCHER  MCKEEVER -EGAN  BENFIELD MILL
 ROW HOMES TURRETS IN PERKASIE  TURRET PRESERVATION TURRET  SCAVENGER- HUNT 1 TURRET  SCAVENGER HUNT 2