Mill in the Meadow, Granville, Massachusetts
© 2016 J. G. Coleman
Amidst an open meadow bounded by gentle hills and autumn woodlands, a rustic old mill nestles beneath the wind-jostled canopy of a lofty willow tree.
At first glance, this weathered curiosity seems to be an authentic, water-driven mill which would’ve been typical of villages across early New England. Indeed, one could be forgiven for believing that the “Mill in the Meadow” is a meticulously-restored, historical grist mill. Look closer, though, and you’ll notice that one critical component is missing: a brook to turn the water wheel!
That wouldn’t have surprised Ralph Hiers, though, the man who built this peculiar mill in an open field back in the 1970s. Although it was apparently designed to look centuries-old, the Mill in the Meadow is a relatively modern work of unusual, outdoor art. It’s not entirely without functionality, though! An electric pump is capable of drawing water from a nearby pond to animate the water wheel, a fact which makes this oddity all the more bizarre and wondrous.
Purchase a Fine Art Print or Inquire About Licensing
Click here to visit my landing page for “Hiers’ Dream” to buy a beautiful fine art print or inquire about licensing this image.
Want to See More?
Be sure to check out all of my work from the Mill in the Meadow.
