Steve Bashore

"Automation in the Eighteenth Century: George Washington's Grist Mill"

ABSTRACT -- In the late 1780s Oliver Evans developed the bucket elevator, a device to move grain and flour through mills, along with other devices that fully automated grain mills. In 1790, Evans applied for and received a patent from the Federal Government for his invention. In fact, he holds U.S. Patent #3. His automated flour milling system spread through American mills, and greatly improved the production and quality of flour consumed in and exported from the United States. In 1795, Evans would publish his book, The Young Millwright and Millers Guide, a book that would go through 15 editions by 1850. This presentation will detail Evans work, and invention and his impact on mills in the United States, and overseas. It is interesting to note that President George Washington installed this system in his mill at Mount Vernon in the fall of 1791.

SPEAKER -- Steve Bashore is the Director of Historic Trades at George Washington's Mount Vernon. In this position he oversees the interpretation, operations and maintenance of Washington's Distillery and Gristmill as well as the Farm and Blacksmith Shop. Steve is a traditional miller and distiller by trade and has been operating, interpreting and repairing historic watermills for 27 years. Since 2007, he has been distilling at George Washington's reconstructed distillery producing rye whiskey, bourbon, single malt whisky, rum as well as peach and apple brandy. He has been a spirits judge for the American Craft Spirits Association, and for World of Whiskies. Steve has traveled extensively in the United States, England and Europe researching windmills, watermills, and distilleries and lectures regularly on these subjects.

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