Alfred Ray's Millstone

Clum-Kennedy Park is a small, tranquil green space that is home to a pristine granite millstone that once operated a private mill on a nearby farm.

Highland Farm was owned by Alfred Ray, a farmer who lived from 1825-1895. His mill was located along Kensington Parkway next to what is now called Silver Creek, just south of Saul Road.

There were more than 20 mills along Rock Creek and it’s tributaries between 1664 and 1925 producing wood, plaster, wool, bone, and lime.

The grinding stone at Clum-Kennedy is what is known as a “runner,” which is the upper stone of the pair. The runner rotates against the fixed bottom stone to grind the product being processed by the mill. This runner is 47” in diameter, approximately 6-7” thick, and had a 10” center hold which allows it to be turned by the wooden axle.

Although this mill and much of its history has been lost to time, the millstone helps  bridge the gap for new generations who may never have seen a functional mill in action.