Moselem Farms Mill
Why it's listed
Built around 1860 in the village of Moselem, Berks County, this banked brick gristmill rises two and a half stories above a basement and a stone foundation. It stands beside Moselem Creek near the former Hunter's Furnace and Forge site, and its water came from a headrace under an arch on the east elevation. Its size, rectangular plan, and hoist hood over the gable-end doors mark it as a merchant mill, a type built in large numbers in Berks County between 1818 and 1870 to handle grain bought in quantity for sale. Compared with earlier custom mills, it has extra floors for storage, more and larger windows, and more machinery. The mill also served workers at the nearby iron works and processed large quantities of grain for market. Milling ceased in the 1950s. Its interior has been altered, but millstone cut-outs, a hurst frame, and a bag hoist still show how it worked.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the mill is significant for its association with the county gristmill industry during a period of growth in Berks County milling between 1818 and 1870. It is also presented as a representative example of the large merchant mills built in the county in that era, with features earlier custom mills lacked, such as extra floors for grain storage and larger windows. It is described as the only known surviving industrial building of the once thriving iron works.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 90001627, listed November 8, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Jct. of PA 662 and Forge Rd., Richmond Township, Moselem |
|---|---|
| County | Berks County |
| Listed | November 8, 1990 |
| Reference number | 90001627 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c 1860 to 1939 |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The first floor is partitioned and described as vacant, the basement is an occupied apartment, and milling operations ceased in the 1950s. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 40.50234, -75.87950 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 90001627.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6915591
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.