The restoration of the Messer / Mayer Mill has been in progress since 1999 after the Town of Richfield purchased the 27 acre mill site and leased the mill and other buildings to the Historical Society for restoration.

Years of tree growth found the old mill roof penetrated in many places by tree branches. Over the years, water had also done a good deal of damage to the roof, walls and flooring.

The first order of restoration business was to tear off the old roof and completely replace it with new cedar shingles. Many of the old roofing boards also needed repair or replacement.

The old rubble stone basement walls needed repair, strengthening and in several places shoring up - a major task requiring professional help. Significant work remains to be done in the basement to clear away the dirt and stones from the old turbine still buried beneath.

The siding on all four sides of the mill needed replacement. Work started on the west side of the building first, then proceeded to the north and east sides and finally the south side was finished in 2004. Along with siding replacement, every window needed to be replaced. Construction to match the old was required; and old glass was needed to replace all broken panes.

All of these steps required much behind the scenes work, and it has taken many thousands and thousands of hours from dedicated volunteers to bring us where we are today, and yet there is still so much to do.