History could come to life with a project going on at McConnells Mill State Park.

Members of the Little Beaver Historical Society have been working on the gristmill — which once produced up to 2,000 pounds of grain per load and distributed tons of product to a 10-mile radius — every Tuesday for six months of each of the past three years.

The goal? To renovate the mill to the point where tour guides could demonstrate how the turbines worked.

If the mill would get to a point where the turbines could be operational, park staff and volunteers would operate it during the park’s visiting hours.

It’d be a tremendous addition to the park — one that would attract visitors, no doubt.

Further, you can imagine taking a group of second-graders on a field trip to the mill. Their eyes would light up if use of the mill could be demonstrated. And it’d be a great history lesson, too.

Stephen Frost, a “display animation” historian from Darlington, said he may not live to see the project completed, but he and the other seven or eight consistent workers wanted to get a restoration going after his son, a park ranger at Ohiopyle in Fayette County, suggested it was possible.

Here at the Butler Eagle, we’d love for him to see his dream become a reality.

The Little Beaver Historical Society, which has more on its plate than solely the McConnells Mill project, has consistently worked at the gristmill’s restoration. They’ve dedicated time and led efforts to raise money for the cause.

In an article published in the Wednesday edition of the Butler Eagle, Dustin Drew, manager of McConnells Mill State Park, spoke highly of the group.

“We do depend on volunteers a lot, so to have this group come with the knowledge and consistency, that’s the intention we need around here,” Drew said.

The volunteers have worked hard and made progress, but for the project to gain more momentum, more help may be needed. More volunteers — including young people — should consider getting involved in this project.

For more information on the project, call Frost at 724-714-4821. For information or to contribute financially to McConnells Mill, call the park office at 724-368-8811.

— TL