An ambitious restoration of the original 24-foot overshot water wheel, using over 16,000 pounds of white oak lumber.
We have all the metal parts and are currently in the process of drying over 16,000 pounds of white oak lumber for the wheel! Thank you to all of our sponsors - we have sold our paddles! We will begin building in January 2026 and will be posting periodic updates here and on social media.
Keep an eye on these videos as we bring the wheel back to life!
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Week 11
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Week 10
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Week 5 & 6
April 28 Celebration and Update with Robert Jones and Angelo Otterbein. Robert is here describing how he joined the large 2.5" white oak together, and then cut out the curves using a jigsaw that are then lap-jointed and assembled into the large perimeter. He also talked about how the wheel will get re-assembled on the axle at the wheel pit. Metal worker Derek Arnold explained how he will use gear reduction to motorize the wheel so it spins.
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Finally, after a long, harsh winter that iced everything over and froze the wood, we're back to working on the water wheel! Robert has started making the patterns for each side of the wheel. Each side consists of 12 arches forming one complete circle, and each arch will hold 6 paddles — 72 in total!
Construction of the water wheel has officially started! This week, Robert Jones completed the platform that he will be building the wheel on. On the platform, he outlined the perimeter of the wheel and drew where each spoke would go. In addition to completing the platform, Robert worked on straight lining each white oak board to ensure that all pieces would be flush together once they are added to the wheel.
Barn siding was added to the side of the mill adjacent to the water wheel well, which would have been impossible once the wheel is in place.
We successfully wrapped up one last essential project before diving into the water wheel construction. Robert Jones worked through September and October to add siding to the kitchen and loft addition off the back of the mill.
Read the featured story about the water wheel in The Baltimore Sun! Also check out our Instagram reel. Construction starting in September.
Construction on hold awaiting white oak drying.
Beth Smith wrote an article for Old Mill News (SPOOM publication).
Derek Arnold and Robert Jones taking measurements, mapping out construction of first components. Nearly 40 paddle sponsors so far, halfway to full funding including motorizing the wheel, adding railing, and enclosing the exposed large gear in the store.
Robert Jones added sides to the pavilion to house white oak lumber for drying/curing.
Over 18,000 pounds of white oak arrived from Camp Small.
December addendum: Camp Small suffered a devastating fire on December 8th. Fortunately, our lumber had already been delivered.
Shaun Preston and Nick Oster at Camp Small milled white oak logs into 16,000 pounds of boards per Robert Jones's specifications.
Frank Kammer of Kammer Masonry repaired exterior mortar, set up scaffolding in the wheel well (3-4 feet deep water), used 100+ year old stones from the property, created cylinder form for axle, and poured footing for the Dutch door. Ten solid days of work.
First paddle arrived at Manor Mill. Debating CNC Router engraving vs. bronze plates for sponsor names.
5', 6/4 14" flat-sawn white oak plank, likely from Druid Hill Park, estimated 200+ years old. Partnership with Baltimore County Historic Trust. Year-long effort to gather wood and raise funds.
Field trip to Camp Small to kick off the next phase. Robert Jones reviewing hand-drawn rendering of the 24' overshot wheel. Camp Small is a Baltimore City "wood waste collection yard" covering 5 acres in the Jones Falls Valley, collaboration with Baltimore Office of Sustainability.
Carpenter & Timber Framer
Welder
Mason
Lumber Providers
Manor Mill Proprietor
