Friends of Roberson Mill

Roberson Mill located 3 and 1/2 miles south of Floyd VA, is a 2 and 1/2-story grist mill. It was built during the 1880's.  The grist mill continues with restoration within the mill's interior. To date, the mill's exterior has been finished and a welcoming front porch complete with ramps has been added. 

In addition, a new parking lot has been constructed as well as handicapped parking spaces within close proximity of the mill's porchIn our rural community, it's getting difficult to find places where people can have a sense of belonging, where they are drawn to. Older adults are at risk of becoming isolated, while younger generations are growing up without access to skills, stories, and shared experiences that once made a community united.

At Roberson Mill, we are working to change that:

As chairman of the board of Friends of Roberson Mill, this restoration process comes full circle.  Both my grandfather and father were owner/operators of this mill. We are restoring this 19th-century gristmill, not just to preserve history, but to bring folks back together.  Our goal is to create a place where people of all ages can gather, share knowledge, and feel a renewed sense of purpose. There were once over 100 watermills in our county, and now only a few remain. Beauty in motion drew people of all ages as they watched the waterwheel slowly turning. Our desire is to bring back that peaceful but highly functional community gathering place.

 We are developing gardens, seating areas, and walking spaces that invite people to slow their pace and connect with nature.  Within the mill's walls, we are bringing the past to life via stories of how grain became food.

Roberson mill was one of the latter two commercial mills to operate by waterpower in Floyd County and one of two existing flour mills that was neither designed to incorporate a roller mill nor modified afterward to accommodate one. This mill, therefore, represents the county's most authentic picture of flour milling as it was done in the United States through the larger part of the 19th century.  (This is an excerpt from "Water Powered Mills of Floyd County" book by Ricky Cox and Franklin Webb)

Approximately three years ago, we received the good news Roberson mill was named on the current registry of National Historic Places.   Board members are in hopes this will enhance our overall recognition over time.  The board's future plans, along with continued interior restoration, are focused on utilizing the mills inner workings/components via production of various meals. One day, we will install a water wheel (as the wheel was deemed irreparable due to severe rust and was taken down). It will, likely, cost $30,000 to $50,000 for design, construction, and installation. When this comes to pass, the mill won't just be restored, it will feel alive again. And it will be a great attraction for kids and kids-at-heart. 

Since the mill is presently open to the public, our immediate planning involves creating pollinator and grain gardens, adding a walking trail along the old mill race, and continuing restoration inside the mill so more of the building can be safely explored. This work is about more than a building. It's about restoring purpose, dignity, and community.

Your donation, no matter how small, will assist us to meet these goals.  Thank you for all your support during our restoration efforts in the past!  None of the improvements to this historic treasure would have been possible without you. 

-Regina Roberson Cox