Free tours of the Mill are typically given at 1:00pm to 4:00pm on the third Sunday of the
month in the spring, summer and fall. After a brief slide show about the Mill’s history, you
will take a guided tour to learn more about how the mill worked and what
life was like in this area in previous centuries. After the tour you can
browse in the museum and see artifacts from the Mill’s archaeological dig.
To arrange for group tours of Evans-Mumbower Mill contact the Wissahickon
Valley Watershed Association at 215-646-8866.
2012 Open House Schedule
Sunday, April 15
Sunday, May 20 - Official return of waterpower to the mill
Sunday, June 17 - Father's Day, Conveyance of Grain From Top to Bottom
Sunday, July 15
Sunday, September 16 - Old Fashioned Mill Day
Saturday, October 20, 6:00pm to 9:00pm - The Ghost of Henry Mumbower (Rain date Oct. 21)
Sunday, November 11
Times are 1:00pm to 4:00pm unless otherwise indicated
WVWA volunteer archeologists will continue 2011’s excavation of the blacksmith’s shop, located behind the Mill on the banks of the Wissahickon Creek. Volunteers will be taught on-site how to dig, sift, clean and sort the artifacts. Dress to get dirty and bring your hat, gloves and sun block. You can work all or part of the day. Bring your own lunch and beverages.
Digs are scheduled for Thursdays in May through October from 9:30am to 3:00pm - weather permitting.
Once scores of mills lined the banks of the Wissahickon Creek using
and reusing the Creek's water to power industries which sawed wood, made
paper, ground grain, and manufactured felt. Today nearly all of these
buildings are gone, having been destroyed or converted to other uses.
WVWA's Evans-Mumbower Mill still stands, preserved and open to the
public, offering a glimpse into the past. A visit provides an
understanding the history of an old Wissahickon mill and how important
such buildings were to the Wissahickon Valley economy.
While the present Evans-Mumbower Mill appears to date to the early 1800's,
records indicate the construction of a saw mill and fulling mill by Abraham Evans in
1745. The mill changed hands several times in the late 1700's. It was reported to
have been demolished and then a new mill built sometime in the late 18th century. The
present building has a date stone of 1835; however, this may indicate a time of renovation
or new ownership. The mill was acquired by Henry Mumbower in 1858, and a member of that
family operated the grist mill until around 1930. For more information about
families associated with the mill visit our
Mill Families page.
Evans-Mumbower Mill reflects its times and the people who used it. The
present structure operated as a mill for nearly 100 years. It was an industrial building
and as such shows signs of the technological changes which took place during its lifetime.
Originally powered by a water wheel, in later years it was run by a steam or gasoline
engine. Other changes in machinery and layout are evident as well.
For years Evans-Mumbower Mill sat abandoned and deteriorating, rain pouring
in through its rotted roof. In 1984 the Towamencin Historical Society
acquired the mill and initiated repairs. In 1987 ownership passed to the
Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association, which has done much repair and
restoration work during the past twenty years. In 2008, the mill property
was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Presently, WVWA is restoring
the mill's water wheel and millstones to functioning condition. Thus, the
process of preserving this piece of local history continues.
InterloperReturns.pdf The story of James Althouse,
who explored the mill as a boy in the '60s.
WhoSaysYouCantGoHome.pdf
A story by Kirk Horstman about the great-great-grandchildren of
Henry Mumbower, who still live in the area, visiting the mill.
LedgersReturnedToMill.pdf
After 80 years, ten ledger books were returned to Evans-Mumbower Mill in
Upper Gwynedd on Sunday, May 15. More photos can be found
here. Included are images of three paintings by Marvin G. Detweiler on loan to WVWA for the event.
