Built in 1807 by Peter Grim, who operated it until his death in 1837, this stone gristmill was one of only two mills in Lehigh County that was powered directly from a spring.
In 1872, the mill and 55 acres of land were sold to Reuben Helfrich, who operated it until his death in 1890, and during this time, it became known as the Helfrich Mill.
The mill became the target of a restoration campaign in 1975 by the Whitehall Environmental Group. Through the efforts of this group, the Helfrich Springs Grist Mill was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in June 1977.
The Whitehall Historical Preservation Society, founded in June 1984, took over where the original organization left off. This group has restored the structure, replaced windows, doors, roof, electric wiring, and repointed the stone walls.
Restoration recently began on the Peter Grim Homestead, which was the miller’s residence built in 1834 across the road from the mill. This building was placed on the National Register of Historical Sites in October 1999. Currently, the Whitehall Historical Preservation Society’s office headquarters and Genealogical Library is located in the home.
Additional Information
- Hours of Operation:
The Grist Mill is open to the public
by appointment.
Please call 610-776-7166.
- Features:
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1807 Grist Mill
1834 Peter Grim House
