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Old millstones to be shown at the Pointe Claire windmill on July 17
Artifacts shipped from France date back to 1700s
Alycia Ambroziak
The Gazette
Friday, July 9, 2010
After years of searching, the Société pour la Sauvegarde du Patrimoine de Pointe-Claire has located two millstones that would have been used to make flour at the Pointe Claire windmill in the early 1700s.
The millstones will be presented to the public Saturday at 1 p.m. at the historic windmill in Pointe Claire.
"We’re hoping a lot of people will come to see them; each millstone weighs two tonnes," said Claude Arsenault, head of the non-profit group.
Arsenault said the millstones were found in France.
"After research by our group that began in 2006, and with the help of windmill expert Jean Bruggeman in France, we finally found the old millstones ... the type that would have been used in Pointe Claire in 1710," Arsenault said.
He explained that the dimensions of the millstones were unique to North American windmills.
"Production of millstones of that size stopped around 1760, along with the British regime and its new technology," he saiid.
Unique to North America, the millstones are also very rare in France.
Arsenault said the purchase, restoration and shipping of the millstones has been a great team effort and helped by generous donors.
"The $28,000 needed to purchase and restore the windmills was made possible thanks to the Caisse Desjardins des Sources-Lac-Saint-Louis, the Corporation Corbec, the Beaurepaire-Beaconsfield Historical Society as well as the Village Veterinary Hospital and individual donors," he said.
Getting the millstones here was made possible through Seamont Brokerage and Transport, Fednav International, Transport Neveu and Hewitt Equipment.
"It took a lot of effort and goodwill to get it all done," he said.
Ultimately, his organization would like to see the windmill, which is the emblem of Pointe Claire, back to use.
"There is an old expression that says the windmills are singing," Arsenault said. "We are hoping to one day hear the windmill in Pointe Claire sing again."
The presentation of the millstones takes place at 1 p.m at the Pointe Claire windmill, 1 St. Joachim St. in Pointe Claire. Everyone is welcome.