“The world’s favorite season is the spring. All things seem possible in
May.”
~ Edwin Way Teale
~ 1899-1980
~ American naturalist, photographer &
writer
~Teale’s works serve as
primary source material documenting environmental conditions across North
America from 1930 – 1980. He is perhaps best known for his series “The American Seasons,” four books
documenting over 75,000 miles (121,000 km) of automobile travel across
North America following the changing seasons.
It’s
a beautiful Saucon Valley spring as the evening sun dapples upon the historic
Heller-Wagner Grist Mill, located just off the Saucon Rail Trail, Hellertown, Pennsylvania,
in this HDR image I shot on the first day of May.
The
Grist Mill dates back to the 18th century and operated into the
1950s. The Borough of Hellertown took ownership in
1965, and nearly two decades later it was turned over to the Hellertown
Historical Society. The Grist Mill is now an historical museum and a
portion of it, the Tavern Room, may be rented for private functions.
The
grounds include The Wash House, the smallest stone structure overlooking the
mill chase and ponds. Built in the 1700s, it most likely served as housing for
early millers and their families, along with a portion of the Grist Mill. It is
now referred to as The Wash House, because after the construction of the
Miller’s House in the 1800’s, it was utilized to wash sacks for the grain and
possibly as the family’s wash house.
The
Grist Mill grounds also include The Miller’s House, home of the offices of the
Hellertown Historical Society; and the 1860 Walnut Street Pony Bridge and a
barn across the street.
