Gurleyville Grist Mill – Phase 3 Construction Starts
Storrs, CT
The Gurleyville Grist Mill Structural Stabilization project began with a Condition Assessment of the interior and exterior condition of the 1830 Mill for Joshua’s Trust. The Mill is on the National Register of Historic Places and currently serves as a museum. Numerous past retrofits to the fieldstone masonry walls and historic timber framing systems were present due to continuous shifting in the system attributable to the nearby river and recently constructed vehicular bridge. GNCB assisted the Trust with phasing construction over multiple years to address critical structural concerns with the help of State funding.
Phase 1 construction was completed in 2018 and addressed the most urgent stabilization concerns related to shifting foundations and overstressed first floor framing. The work included installation of new tie rods at the first floor to stabilize the outward-moving stone walls and localized timber framing repairs.
Phase 2 construction was completed in 2019 and included installing new engineered lumber systems in the attic to re-support the brick masonry chimney. The existing chimney is no longer functioning but needed to remain to maintain the building’s exterior asthetics. Work also included reinforcing the roof framing with rough-sawn lumber and stablizing the attic diaphragm.
This spring, Phase 3 will be completed. Phase 3 work will address the remaining stabilization concerns for the attic by re-supporting the original timber beams. The timber beams have suffered from years of grain processing activities and storage.
Future work at the Grist Mill will include an exterior restoration addressing the stone masonry, roofing, and water management.
General Contractor: Kronenberger and Sons Restoration
