Nestled on a quiet corner along the Pennypack Creek, near the center of the Fetter’s Mill Village Historic District, sits the original Fetter’s Mill, one of the last remaining water-powered grist mills that operated along the 20-mile-long creek and its tributaries during the 18th and 19th centuries. Built circa 1750 by Joshua Morris, an early member of Abington Friends Meeting, the original 24 x 30 stone and stucco building was enlarged in 1860 by then-owner George Fetter, who also replaced the mill’s vertical water wheel with a more efficient, horizontal water turbine.
The 5-story mill was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. There is photographic evidence that the mill was operating as a grist mill in the early years of the 20th century. The mill race, where the water flowed through the mill, is still in evidence, and was listed on the National Register as a contributing structure to the mill. Also included are the mill’s wagon shed, the 18th century Colonial farmhouse that served as the mill owner’s residence and the original 18th century stone barn on the west side of the farmhouse.
The building eventually evolved from a working mill into an artist’s studio. In 1920, it was converted to a residence and studio for artist Louis Ewald, who created decorative religious paintings and murals for church interiors and participated in the overall interior design for more than 85 churches, including the Bryn Athyn Cathedral. Ewald lived in the mill for 55 years, leaving in 1975.
Over the years, a number of artists have occupied the mill, including John Ramsey Connor, Asbjorn Boyesen, Jeb Blair and Thomas Powell. In the 1990s, students from Temple University’s Tyler School of Art lived at the mill for a short period of time, and numerous other artists have painted portraits and landscapes on the property.
“It’s interesting how the mill has evolved naturally from one point in time to another,” says Vincent Rivera, who, with his wife Bonnie, has focused on preserving the historic building since the early ‘80s.
The two met when Vincent, an architect, was teaching a class at Temple University in Philadelphia for lay people interested in restoring old homes. Bonnie, who had majored in English Literature at Villanova, was always dreaming about renovating and preserving historic structures so she signed up for the class. She eventually took Vincent to see the mill and the rest, as they say, is history. They found a house to rent nearby and moved in to focus on the restoration of the mill.
“It’s been a community project,” says Bonnie, who, along with Vincent, has worked closely with local historian and Alnwick Grove Historical Society member Fred Moore to preserve the mill and put together a visual history of the building for visitors and the local community.
Two large posters describing the history of the mill, how it worked and the surrounding historic district hang in the front windows of the mill for passersby to read. The fact that the mill is situated along the Pennypack Trail, which travels alongside the Pennypack Creek from Byberry Road between Reading Way and Pioneer Road, on down to Rockledge in Huntingdon Valley, makes it easily accessible to visitors walking by.
“The mill provides our community with a living history that we want to preserve and keep safe for as long as we can,” says Bonnie. “It’s a museum piece that we’re able to live in and share.”
While the mill is no longer used as a residence, it is open to the public for tours and has hosted local organizations and historical societies.
“It’s miraculous that the mill has survived this long and was not washed away due to all the flooding in the area,” says Bonnie.
Thanks to the efforts of the Riveras, and with the help of historian Moore, the mill will continue to be preserved by a love of architecture and a passion for history that will hopefully continue to be shared with the community for years to come. ••
Fetter’s Mill is located at 2543 Fetter’s Mill Drive, off of Terwood Road, in Lower Moreland. Tours can be arranged by calling 215-901-4539.
