Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-15
IN ROCK CREEK PARK
Proposed Rehabilitation of
Old Pierce Mill.
MANSION AS MUSEUM
COLLECTION OF INTERESTING MA
TERIAL COULD BE MADE.
History of the Famous Old Stone
Houses That Now Belong to
the Government.

The proposed rehabilitation of the old
Pierce mill in Rock Creek Park by restor-
ing the sluceway leading from the creek
and constructing a water wheel patterned
after the one that years ago ground its
never weary way one of the signs or
early industry in this picturesque valley
has aroused an unusual degree of interest
not alone in the historic old mill itself, but
in the beautiful reservation of which 1t IS
one OF the landmarks The work of rehabil-
tation viii be begun next year provided the
loped-for and clearly deserved appropria-
tons for the park are Forthcoming at this
winters session of Congress. The great ma
tional park of the Yellowstone which has
no more natural beauties in its way than
the Rock Creek Park region has attracted
the attention and the consideration of the
nations lawmakers, while the national
Rock Creek Park, within a stones throw of
the Capitol, has often gone begging. Dur
ing the past session of Congress the park
received more consideration, however, than
for several years, and this is taken as an
indication of increasing congress onal inter
est.
1t is the plan of the District authorities to
put the old mill in commission again by at
taching to the proposed water wheel the
pumping machinery that Is necessary TO
lift water from the creek and convey 1t to
various places where IL VIII be more readily
accessible for sprinkling purposes The
increase in road mileage in the park and
the corresponding increase in the number of
carria geS driving thereon require that the
thoroughfares should be constantly watered
in dry wea Their to make the conditions as
pleasant as possible
1t is quite needless to predict that the
mill in its rehabilitated condition. with the
picturesque water wheel turning leisurely
along. will be one of the most popular and
Interesting sights within the District of
Columbia. The restoration of this mill. it
is believed. will be but the first step in add
ing to the natural attractiveneSS of Rock
Creek Park. The plans that have been
made do not contemplate in any manner an
interference with the rugged beauties of
nature. The idea is to take advantage of
the opportunities for added interest wher-
ever they are offered and to make all por
lions of the park accessible by the con-
struction of an appropriate number of
driveways At present there are no mac
adam drives in the park north of the Mill
tary road. large proportion of the area
of the reservation is north of this pc mt
The natural beauties are to all intents and
purposes hidden and useless unless roads
constructed to bring them with n reach
of those who patroniZe the park. 1t is eSti-
mated that at least 100000 could be spent
aavantageously north of Military road in
the building of macadam drivewayS to cor
respond with the popular thoroughfares of
the lower end. The macadam roadways
now existing il, the park are models of their
kind, being as available for pleasure traffic
in the winter in the summer. Many
lovers of the beautiful in nature find their
greatest enjoyment in visiting the park
during the winter months. when the more
rugged features of Mother Earth are
brought out by the ravages of the weather
A Proposed Park Museum.
With the proposed restoration of Pierce's
mill has come the further suggestion that
the almost equally interesting building
known the Joshua Pierce Mansion be
transformed into a Rock Creek Park mu-
scum. There are many points in favor of
such a disposition of this magnificent old
building. the one most Immediately appeal
ing teing the fact that the proposed work
be done without appropriation by
Congress. Volunteer contributions and vol
unteer labor in equipping the various
rooms il Is suggested, will accomplish the
ends desired and make of the place a spot
of unusual interest. The museum feature
has recently been urged by Mr.. Louis p.
Shoemaker. president of the BrightwoOd
Citizens Association who has always taken
a very deep interest in the park, and who
is one of the descendants of the Pierces,
who held the original land grants of a large
portion OF the territory now included In the
park The project will probably be pushed
with renewed energy the coming winter
One of the reasons assigned for the in
crease of interest on the part of the general
public in Rock Creek Park is the fact that
the extensions OF the street railway lines
are constantly bringing the reservation
within easier access. This is notably the
case in the extension of the Connecticut
avenue line OF the Washington Railway
and Electric Company on Columbia road
and old 10th street The line now leads to
several points from which the park is easily
reached by few minutes walk.
There is attached to the old Pierce build
ings in the park-the mill and the mansion
quite an interesting bit of history They
recall the days when no less than seven
or eight mills along the banks of Rock
creek In this vicinity were grinding their
daliy portions of grist. 1t is within the
recollection of persons now living that this
condition existed. The Pierce mill was
Always a popular place for the farmers to
bring their grain. Sometimes as high as
ten To twelve teams could be seen about