The Old Mill Museum is housed in the grist mill built by town founder Amos Orton in 1856. This extensive museum includes a military display, a country store, farm implements, fire engine, household displays, and a working rug loom. In addition, the Mann one-room schoolhouse has been relocated to the property and is available for tours. The Old Mill Blacksmith shop was added in 2020, with demonstrations on most Saturdays between April and November.
The Museum is operated by the Ortonville Community Historical Society (https://www.downtownortonville.org/connections/46060-ortonville-community-historical-society/)
The year was 1967. The old brick school had been torn down, and it seemed there was no interest in preserving the wonderful old building or any creative thought to a future use. Once the building ceased to existence, many people felt its void, and the absence of what it represented to the community. Members of the Ortonville Women’s Club felt the need to preserve the artifacts prevalent to the formation of the area and decided to establish an Ortonville Museum.
The Museum Committee decided to create a Historical Society, and thus the Ortonville Community Historical Society (OCHS) was born on April 6, 1968. The purpose of OCHS and the museum was:
On October 14, 1968, just six months after OCHS was formed, the Board of Directors voted to accept the generous offer of the Grist Mill and property on Kearsley Creek on Mill Street, free and clear, from the B.L. Hamiltons to be used as the Museum. The official transfer of deed occurred on December 7 1968.
Members scurried to seek a place to house the many artifacts which were beginning to accumulate. By coincidence, Lou Kline-Sanders stopped by the Mill, noting Mr. Hamilton’s car in front. Mr. Hamilton had just learned the facility would require more work to renovate than his potential buyers were interested in spending. When Mrs. Kline approached him, he almost instantly offered the building for use as a museum if it would be taken over immediately.
At the time the OCHS took over the Mill Museum, it was in a decadent state. The roof required new boards and shingles. The interior needed to be renovated to some degree to house the history of the area. The front dock was in very bad shape. Water was running down the street and into the basement because the curbing was gone, as well as a large section of the cement and stone front retaining wall. No one shied away from the project. Men rolled up their sleeves, wielded hammers, and began the tasks. Women, too, donned aprons and with pails of water, began cleaning. The retaining wall was repaired. New supports and decking were installed.
The Museum, The Mill, and the Ortonville Community Historical Society were placed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 16, 1971.
