The Old Millstream Mill in Chelmsford MA
Lisa and I found the Millstream Mill Museum on Halloween (been back in winter) and it was almost perfect for the fall colors. This museum is open to the public BUT… Please protect it and respect it. So many people “love” these special places to death. (The rules are below)
Rules for visiting the Mill
The first thing about this museum is that this is also the caretaker’s home! So please don’t just arrive and wander the property. You knock on the door to see if they are at home. This is NOT to collect the payment but so that they know someone is walking the property.
See the white entrance? That is where you go to ask permission and let them know you are there. No one answers? Then you are fine (as of this writing).
They keep the drapes closed facing the falls, mill, and pool but what if they open them and find a few people staring in the window? They want to know “WHEN” people are there.
The Mill Stream is an “ALL season” location
Yes, I’m rather fixated on the New England fall colors and the Millstream Museum does not lack when it comes to the other seasons as well… Lisa and I have visited it a couple of times (Oct 31st and Feb 27th), and both times it was a great visit.
In winter you have to watch your footing so you don’t slide off into the brook. From November to leaf-out, you don’t have the trees blocking your view of the Red Mill buildings.
Other Views of the Mill Buildings
As some know I’m now a certified Part 107 UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) pilot. This allows me to take. post, and sell my images from my UAS.
I love the different views that I can present to viewers of my work. This Point of view (POV) can allow me to create more interesting angles on the subject.
You can also view it from overhead for a more dramatic view.
Locating the Millstream and Parking
You’ll find the Millstream Museum at 105 Mill Road. There is a parking lot directly across the street and I’ve never found the gate closed so you should have no problem if you are arriving during normal business hours. If you are looking for a pre-dawn or post-sunset shot then I suggest you visit first and check with the caretaker for permission.
There are no facilities and there are steps you will need to navigate to fully explore the museum. It is not wheelchair friendly and you need to keep this in mind when visiting.
Best Times to Photograph the Millstream
In Autumn I got there around 1 PM on a partly cloudy day and the light was perfect. This allowed the millstream mill buildings to be well-lit.
Morning can work nicely but you will have the stream side of the brook in shadow but the Gristmill will be lit well. This might be important in the winter as I was there at 4PM and the buildings were already in shadow. This did not present any problems for me as the buildings were evenly lit with the snow reflecting the light.
I hope this helps you capture this wonderful New England Mill.
Jeff Foliage Folger
Autumn is a state of mind more than a time of year – Jeff Foliage
- Visit my Fine Art America Gallery
- Visit my Amazon store to pick up New England-related materials
- Visit my Pictorem Gallery (Free shipping in the US and Canada)
- My Facebook foliage page
- Threads.net/@Jeff_Foliage
- Follow our new Fall Foliage FB Group!
- You can visit Lisa’s Artist Facebook Page by clicking here
Gorgeous images! There seems to be so much to see in your “neck of the woods”, especially with the fall colors! Fantastic and a good reminder to be polite to the people who live in these beauty spots!
Jeff, you and Lisa are true New England Treasures. As one who has spent the last 50 years in California, with frequent visits Back East, I so appreciate what you do and how you bring our Magnificent New England to the entire world. I am a retired Air Force Vietnam War Chaplain. Thank you for sharing your talent and creativity.
Thank you for your service during difficult times. I did 22 years (USAF) but my service was much easier (81-03). I’m thoroughly enjoying my service to the world by bringing New England autumns to life for so many people.
Beautiful images, thank you.
Thank you Sunny