The Rensselaerville Grist Mill Museum will open for the summer season on Saturday, May 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a bake sale and a new exhibit on “Timeless Toys,” old toys in use before the age of electronics.

Beginning Saturday, May 31, the hours will be from noon to 2 p.m. each Saturday until Labor Day. The mill will also be open on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. until mid-October.

Those wishing to do family or town research with the museum’s extensive archive of genealogical information will find several members of the Research Group at the mill on Wednesdays, so, if researchers can come on Wednesdays, they will have more time and more people to help them.

The Rensselaerville grist mill is the only remaining water-powered mill in our area. The flume (penstock) was badly deteriorated and work is underway to replace it. Although the mill cannot grind grain right now, exhibits demonstrate how it used to work.

The Grist Mill Museum is located at the bridge in the hamlet of Rensselaerville.

Needed are two volunteers each Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. during the summer to greet visitors, explain the workings of the mill, and help researchers. Training is available for the volunteers and, if you can help even one Saturday this summer, it will be much appreciated. E-mail me at janethaseley@gmail.com if you can help, or drop a note to me at Rensselaerville Historical Society, Post Office Box 8, Rensselaerville, NY 12147. 

Also, donations of baked goods for the bake sale will be appreciated. Bring donations to the mill on Saturday morning, May 24, or phone Rosie Kuhar at 797-3360 or Joyce Chase at 239-4507 if you wish to bring donations before May 24. 

Editor’s note: Janet Haseley is the research chairwoman for and one of the trustees of the Rensselaerville Historical Society.