Step Into History on June 11 for an Exclusive Evening at the Drumore Mill

By HPTrust Manager | April 29, 2025

📍1658 Harmony Ridge Road, Drumore, PA
🗓 Wednesday, June 11, 2025 | 5:30–8:30 PM

The Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County invites you to a truly one-of-a-kind evening at the enchanting Drumore Mill—a historic gem not open to the public except for special events like this.

Nestled along the winding banks of Fishing Creek in southern Lancaster County, this breathtaking 30-acre estate features a beautifully preserved pre-Civil War grist mill, cooper shop, bank barn, and farmhouse. From its likely role in the Underground Railroad to its rumored use as a Civil War lookout, the Drumore Mill is overflowing with stories waiting to be uncovered. Click here to purchase your tickets.

During this special event, you’ll enjoy:

Open bar with heavy hors d’oeuvres from Cracked Pepper catering in a serene historic setting.
An engaging talk by local historian and author Donald Kautz, who will share insights from his book Mills of Lancaster County
View the historic property and some of its buildings, rarely seen by the public
The peaceful beauty of the Peach Bottom Slate waterfall, visible from multiple points on the estate

Enjoy an engaging presentation by local author Donald Kautz (Mills of Lancaster County), who will share intriguing stories about the mill’s rich past.

🎟 Tickets

Members: $125 | Non-Members: $175

Proceeds from this event directly support the Trust’s mission to protect and preserve Lancaster County’s historic architecture and cultural legacy. Click here to purchase your tickets.

Why Drumore Mill?

To step onto the grounds of Drumore Mill is to walk through nearly three centuries of Lancaster County history. Tucked along the banks of Fishing Creek, this remarkable estate traces its origins back to 1743, when George McCullough built the first mill on the site. By 1748, it was known as Cowgill’s Mill, quickly becoming the nucleus of a bustling industrial complex that included a sawmill, fulling mill, hemp mill, and even a distillery.

Over the decades, the property passed through a who’s who of local millers—Benjamin and Caleb Johnson, John Nelson, and Henry Bausman (Bowman) among them. In 1789, Bausman constructed a sizable 2.5-story mill, which may have replaced or expanded the earlier structures. It operated as a clover seed mill, later evolving into a grist and sawmill under new owners.

From 1817 to 1875, the mill was in the hands of the Pennock family, who left one of the deepest marks on the site’s legacy. It was during their stewardship that local lore places Underground Railroad activity in the former cooper shop, offering a vital refuge for freedom seekers before the Civil War. A Civil War-era lookout post, perched high above the waterfall, further cements the site’s connection to this pivotal chapter in American history.

In the late 1800s, ownership transferred to Civil War veteran James Cramer, a former private in the 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers. Cramer not only operated and enlarged the sawmill but also lived on the property with his large family until his death in 1922. The 1936 public sale of the estate closed a chapter in its long and storied operational life.

The mill was powered by a six-foot dam on Fishing Creek, with water channeled through a 30-foot headrace to drive a single turbine, then returned via a 500-foot tailrace. Though modest in scale—producing just eight barrels a day—its longevity and evolution make it a standout in Lancaster’s milling history.

After falling into disuse for much of the 20th century, the Drumore Mill was lovingly restored and repurposed as a private wedding and retreat venue. Today, it stands as a testament to historic preservation done right—offering stunning views of the Peach Bottom Slate waterfall, serene natural surroundings, and architecture that whispers stories of the past.

For one night only, we’re inviting you to experience it all. The history. The hidden corners. The legends. And the legacy.