Ledyard Sawmill Gets Spring Start

The teeth of the saw-blade tore up and down into the length of wood. The log carriage marched forward to the rhythm of gears and belts beneath. After it cut a board off from the main log, one of the volunteers lifted a lever, bringing the machinery to a halt. The clamor of the mill was replaced by the soft trickle of the stream running below.

The mild-mannered brook provides the muscle at the only up-down sawmill in Connecticut, which is one of a handful still in operation in New England. From now through May (barring low water), the mill will run from 1-4 p.m. on Saturdays, giving visitors a chance to watch volunteers work the machinery. 

The nearby blacksmith shed is also operating. On Saturday, one of the volunteers, Scott, was at the forge, where he was fashioning iron nails.

Several people dropped by, including a couple families. Steven Martin, brought his sons Tyler, five and Trevor, eight to look at the sawmill in action. “I used to come here as a kid all the time,” he said. He still lives nearby and enjoys taking his kids down to the park to play. “It’s good to stretch out the legs instead of watching TV all day,” he said.