Historic Trades: Millwrights, Millers & their Apprentices

Milling is among the oldest of human occupations. While a miller operates water or wind mills, a millwright builds them and sets up machinery such as drive shafts, gears, and mechanical belts. Most millers and millwrights were educated through apprenticeship programs where they received classroom education and on-the-job training. Explore this tabletop display to discover the similarities and differences of these historic trades; sign an apprentice’s contract; and use plastic gears to design your own machine!