Volunteer Millers of the Dutch Windmill, de Immigrant, will be hosting a presentation featuring skills and artistry of the past. While most engineering and mechanic of milling today is performed by power tools and automation, our authentic mill maintains its use of wooden gears to stone grind grains into flour. An appreciation of the skills associated with the hand-worked tools from the past is clearly predominate to anyone when they observe the functioning of the “working” mill.
Dan Schwank is a period woodworker and tool maker. He owns a business that reproduces 18th century woodworking tools for woodworkers who want to recreate furniture using period appropriate tools and techniques. His business, Red Rose Reproductions, has become a full time job since 2017, with sales in all 50 states and numerous countries worldwide.
Dan will have his workbench with him to demonstrate these historical crafts. Guests will be fascinated to get a close up viewing of the tools and skills of this past true artistry.
The presentation will be Thursday, March 23 at 6:00pm at the Windmill Cultural Center at 111-10th Avenue in Fulton, IL across from the authentic Dutch windmill. Monthly programs are sponsored by a grant from the D.S. Flikkema Foundation. Programming is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served following the presentation. The facility is accessible to persons with disabilities. For more information, visit the Windmill Cultural Center and de Immigrant Windmill Facebook page, visitFulton Facebook page, www.cityoffulton.us website, or call 563-249-6115.
