“Sunday
is the golden clasp that binds together the volume of the week.”
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
~ 1807-1882
It’s a postcard perfect summer Sunday
afternoon at the historic Heller-Wagner Grist Mill, located just off the Saucon
Rail Trail, Hellertown, Pennsylvania.
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 Wash House can be seen at right. It
is 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.
