Cider Mill (formerly known as Martinsville Cider Mill)

This cider mill is a replicated 19th century mill that was constructed inside of Greenfield Village in 1942 to conform with the 19th century cider making machinery Henry Ford had in his collection. Demonstrations of pressing apples into cider took place here every fall for many years up until recently.

Sweet and hard cider, as well as cider vinegar, were important orchard byproducts essential to the economy of rural communities. In the 1800's, farmers could haul their apples to cider mills like this one to have them ground and pressed into cider. The cider making equipment in this building came from a mill in Martinsville, Michigan.
Cider was the most popular drink of the 19th century.

A country scene: The train and the cider mill


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Comments

Anonymous said…
I found your blog while searching for some info for a Greenfield Village post on my own blog (we visited Sat.). What a treat! I've thoroughly enjoyed it, and plan to come back when I have more time to savor it. Thanks so much for doing it!
Susan
December 31, 2008 at 4:45 AM
Historical Ken said…
Thank you so much for your kind comments. This blog is a labor of love and I try to update and add to it as frequently as time (and my kids) will allow.
Thank you again.
Ken
December 31, 2008 at 7:11 AM
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