Located in Delaware County, NY. Hanford Mills Museum is initial known as Kelso Mill. This area including a historic grist mill, saw mill and national historic district. The historic district contains nine contributing buildings and three contributing structures. Since 1846, the mill site was in operation. However, the mill closed in 1967 and dedicated as a museum. In 1973, it was listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. The Hanford Mills Museum has become one of tourism attractions of Delaware County, NY. Come and visit there to learn more about the history of Hanford Mill and discover The Power of The Past
Since 1846, the old mill on Kortright Creek has been in operation. This is known as the water-powered mill which named after David Josiah Hanford. David Hanford became the owner of the mill in 1860, Hanford mill’s operation was expanded into rural industrial complex contained sawmill, gristmill, feed-mill, woodworking shop and hardware store. Among these functions, in 1898, the mill harnessed the waters of Kortright Creek and produced the electric power to the surrounding community. This is one of important functions of Hanford Mill. Over the time, the Hanford Mill also took advantage from the steam and gasoline engines to power the mill and electric dynamo to produce the electric power.In 1967, the Hanford Mill closed its business. Shortly after closing, the mill was re-opening and dedicating as Hanford Mill Museum.The phrase of “ The Power of The Past” is the descriptive slogan for the 19th century Hanford Mill. Hanford Mill Museum has provided visitors an opportunity to learn how important of this phrase is in rural of New York Community and to see an authentic mill in operation progress. Today, the historic site “16 buildings and maintains a substantial collection of over 50,000 items, including photographs, documents, machinery, tools and other objects” (1), this is one of unique stops in New York’s Path Through History