I don't know if anyone else is into it or not, but I enjoy reading and studying about the history of this area. One of my main points of interest is Chapman's Mill near Haymarket, VA, for personal reasons (my grandfather used to live near there when I was growing up). I've been talking to the lady that runs the restoration campaign that they've been doing for the past two years or so, and she let me know about an event there on July 8th. I don't know if any of y'all would be interested in going, but I'll put the info here just in case. I figured this really should be in the Prince William section, but some people in Fairfax County may be interested in coming out this way to check it out. The mill project's website is
http://www.chapmansmill.org . If you're into local history, this is a great opportunity to see one of the oldest structures in the area, and the first opportunity to see it in the past couple of years, because it's been closed to the public.
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Beverley / Chapman's Mill Offering Tours of Stabilization Project
Cintec, the English firm stabilizing the walls of Beverley/Chapman's Mill is offering free tours to the public to view the work ongoing at the mill on Saturday, July 8, 2006 from 9 AM to 3 PM. Cintec staff will show how they use the internal anchor system to stabilize the walls of the mill. The anchors are steel rods that are encased in heavy fabric mesh that is filled with concrete. These are inserted into the holes made by drilling into the corners of the mill, and from the top to the bottom of the walls. For more details of this process please view chapmansmill.org.
ALL VISITORS MUST BE 18 YERS OLD OR OLDER. CHILDREN WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO ENTER THE PREMISES. ALL VISTORS WILL BE ASKED TO SIGN A WAIVER OF LIABILITY. In addition, visitors are asked to bring hard hats and safety goggles if possible. Please bring your own drinking water as well.
This is an unique opportunity to observe a difficult and challenging project to save the walls of the Beverley/Chapman's Mill, circa 1742, on the Prince William/Fauquier County line off I66 and Rt. 55 in Broad Run. This mill is the tallest stone building in the U.S. whose walls are being preserved by Turn The Mill Around Campaign, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve and interpret the site to the public.
To reach the mill from Northern Virginia, exit of I66 at Haymarket and take Rt. 55 west. After crossing the railroad tracks in Thoroughfare, take the next right, which is Turner Rd., which crosses over I66. Take an immediate left onto Beverley Mill Rd. and proceed to the end of the road (approximately 1 mile). Park where indicated and walk to the mill.
To reach the mill from the west, take I66 to The Plains and exit onto Rt. 55. Proceed 4 miles east on Rt. 55 and take a left on Turner Rd. Take an immediate left onto Beverley Mill Rd. after crossing over I66. Go west on Beverley Mill Rd. until it dead-ends at the mill.