« Old Mill Complex – Scotch Plains, NJ »
Sunday, August 9, 2009 at 3:02PM 
The dealer's description of this large cabinet print described it as a barn, but I instantly noted the stream issuing from beneath the building, a sure sign of water being used to power some mill operation, most likely grain but maybe there are a variety of operations in this large semi-rural complex – sawmill, lathes or other operations requiring quantities of water. There is a tall brick chimney on the right indicating manufacture, a distillery being one distinct possibility.
The absence of motor vehicles may put this image before 1910, but how much earlier is anyone's guess; the albumen print is quite faded (requiring some restoration for what you see above) but is very handsomely mounted in a heavy folder which could have been done anytime after 1880; some lack of sharpness on the far left and considerable fuzziness on the right may suggest the earlier of this time span.
I am not sure what is being loaded or unloaded in this scene; it appears to be wrapped in cloth or burlap and a hoist is lifting or lowering the bales, so we may be seeing raw material coming in or a product coming out (if you have a more educated guess, please comment). I count at least 6 men, a boy and a girl. This was a busy and important place but the odds are good that nothing much remains above ground today. What was once so common a part of the landscape of American life is now relegated to a relatively few old photographs, an occasional painting and nostalgic prints of the Currier & Ives variety.
Reader Comments (2)
replica watches ambassadors come from all realms, demonstrating the versatility and timelessness of the swiss replica watches image. From the concert hall to the race track, you will find Replica Chanel Watches on the wrists of spectators and participants alike.
Remember replica iwc watches
what should be remembered, and forget what should be forgotten.Alter what is changeable, and accept what is mutable。 replica omega watches