Uploaded April 2023 | Updated September 2026, 7 hours ago
Join the Bobblehead George crew for a look at George Washington's Gristmill.
In 1770-1771, George Washington constructed a new merchant gristmill on his Dogue Run Farm. The gristmill was critical to his business plan for Mount Vernon, grinding wheat and corn to produce a variety of products including flour and cornmeal, for use on the plantation and for sale. Washington exported flour to the West Indies and Southern Europe, realizing good profits. In 1791, he installed the latest advancement in milling systems known as the Oliver Evans automated milling system.
The gristmill was rebuilt over its original foundation in 1932 in observance of Washington’s 200th birthday. Parts from an early 19th-century Shenandoah Valley mill were used in the reconstruction, including the millstones housed within. For many years the mill lay idle, as Washington’s millpond, and much of the millrace, had disappeared as a result of adjacent development. Today, a pumping system puts creek and ground water into the millrace to power the waterwheel. The mill returned to active operation in 2002, after the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association acquired it from the Commonwealth of Virginia and installed the nation’s only working Oliver Evans System.
Please visit Bobblehead George at bobbleheadgeorge.org
-video chapters-
0:01 - Welcome to George Washington's Gristmill
0:22 - the fourth floor of George Washington's Gristmill
0:37 - the Hopper Boy invented by Oliver Evans
1:12 - the third floor of George Washington's Gristmill
1:17 - the rolling screen
1:28 - the bolting chest
1:43 - Grinding stones on the second floor of the gristmill
1:54 - the bed stone and the grinding stone
2:22 - mill furniture
2:35 - the water wheel on the first floor of the gristmill
3:21 - All good things must grind to an end
3:38 - Thank you for joining us for a look at George Washington's Gristmill
3:58 - @BobbleheadGeorge logo
4:06 - Bonus Content!
5:10 - special thank you to the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association and Alex Raymond Film
Visit Bobblehead George at: bobbleheadgeorge.org
Bobblehead George is a non-profit organization, based in Manchester, Pennsylvania, that is dedicated to creating and providing unique, accurate, and entertaining educational content to life-long learners of ALL ages. Our organization was started by public school teachers, David Raymond, Eric Gimbi, and Mike Graham. Dave, Eric, and Mike are incredibly passionate about teaching and education.
Our mission is to share that love of learning within our community, across the nation, and around the globe! Bobblehead George provides a unique opportunity to reach students beyond the traditional classroom walls by providing virtual field trips that are fun, informative, & engaging.
To help ensure that our mission is successful, we rely on donations from kind people like you. Consider making your donation a tribute to an educator who made a difference in YOUR life.
Please visit bobbleheadgeorge.org/donate to learn more!
The Bobblehead George crew would like to thank the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association and Alex Raymond Films for their kindness, hospitality, and friendship.
#mountvernon #georgewashington #gristmill #18thcentury #waterpoweredgristmill #americanhistory #ushistory #president #presidentialhistory #grindingstone #virtualtour #virginia #virginiahistory #bobbleheadgeorge #lessonontheroad
@mountvernon
@BobbleheadGeorge
@BostonScally
Please visit @mountvernon at mountvernon.org
Please visit Alex Raymond Films at: alexraymondfilms.com
Follow us on TikTok!
@Bobblehead George
Follow us on Instagram!
instagram.com/bobblehdgeorge
Like us on Facebook
@Bobblehead George
Song License: MB01BWSQWRPGLWN
For business inquires email me at business@alexraymondproductions.com
To become a patron visit patreon.com/bobbleheadgeorge
Join the Bobblehead George crew for a look at George Washington's Gristmill.
In 1770-1771, George Washington constructed a new merchant gristmill on his Dogue Run Farm. The gristmill was critical to his business plan for Mount Vernon, grinding wheat and corn to produce a variety of products including flour and cornmeal, for use on the plantation and for sale. Washington exported flour to the West Indies and Southern Europe, realizing good profits. In 1791, he installed the latest advancement in milling systems known as the Oliver Evans automated milling system.
The gristmill was rebuilt over its original foundation in 1932 in observance of Washington’s 200th birthday. Parts from an early 19th-century Shenandoah Valley mill were used in the reconstruction, including the millstones housed within. For many years the mill lay idle, as Washington’s millpond, and much of the millrace, had disappeared as a result of adjacent development. Today, a pumping system puts creek and ground water into the millrace to power the waterwheel. The mill returned to active operation in 2002, after the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association acquired it from the Commonwealth of Virginia and installed the nation’s only working Oliver Evans System.
Please visit Bobblehead George at bobbleheadgeorge.org
-video chapters-
0:01 - Welcome to George Washington's Gristmill
0:22 - the fourth floor of George Washington's Gristmill
0:37 - the Hopper Boy invented by Oliver Evans
1:12 - the third floor of George Washington's Gristmill
1:17 - the rolling screen
1:28 - the bolting chest
1:43 - Grinding stones on the second floor of the gristmill
1:54 - the bed stone and the grinding stone
2:22 - mill furniture
2:35 - the water wheel on the first floor of the gristmill
3:21 - All good things must grind to an end
3:38 - Thank you for joining us for a look at George Washington's Gristmill
3:58 - @BobbleheadGeorge logo
4:06 - Bonus Content!
5:10 - special thank you to the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association and Alex Raymond Film
Visit Bobblehead George at: bobbleheadgeorge.org
Bobblehead George is a non-profit organization, based in Manchester, Pennsylvania, that is dedicated to creating and providing unique, accurate, and entertaining educational content to life-long learners of ALL ages. Our organization was started by public school teachers, David Raymond, Eric Gimbi, and Mike Graham. Dave, Eric, and Mike are incredibly passionate about teaching and education.
Our mission is to share that love of learning within our community, across the nation, and around the globe! Bobblehead George provides a unique opportunity to reach students beyond the traditional classroom walls by providing virtual field trips that are fun, informative, & engaging.
To help ensure that our mission is successful, we rely on donations from kind people like you. Consider making your donation a tribute to an educator who made a difference in YOUR life.
Please visit bobbleheadgeorge.org/donate to learn more!
The Bobblehead George crew would like to thank the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association and Alex Raymond Films for their kindness, hospitality, and friendship.
#mountvernon #georgewashington #gristmill #18thcentury #waterpoweredgristmill #americanhistory #ushistory #president #presidentialhistory #grindingstone #virtualtour #virginia #virginiahistory #bobbleheadgeorge #lessonontheroad
@mountvernon
@BobbleheadGeorge
@BostonScally
Please visit @mountvernon at mountvernon.org
Please visit Alex Raymond Films at: alexraymondfilms.com
Follow us on TikTok!
@Bobblehead George
Follow us on Instagram!
instagram.com/bobblehdgeorge
Like us on Facebook
@Bobblehead George
Song License: MB01BWSQWRPGLWN
For business inquires email me at business@alexraymondproductions.com
To become a patron visit patreon.com/bobbleheadgeorge
