Friends of Historic Heishman’s Mill receives partial grant support for Structural and Interpretative Survey of the Mill
FHHM has contracted with two historic Mill professionals to complete an extensive structural review of the Mill to highlight any necessary repairs and to plan for the long term use of the building as an educational and historical center. The contract will also include an outline of how best to “Tell the story of the Mill, local families, and the history of the area”. FHHM would like to thank the National Trust for Historic Preservation, The South Mountain Partnership and the Society for the Preservation of Old Mills (SPOOM) for their grant support. Thanks also to our generous local supporters who care greatly about preserving the history of our area.
Fish Habitat and Portage: RIBBON CUTTING AND OPEN HOUSE November 14, 2024
The rain held off just long enough for us to enjoy the Ribbon Cutting celebrating the completion of the Portage Project and Fish Habitat. Shown above from left to right are FHHM board members Davis Tracy, Vice President, Vern Graham, Treasurer, Ed Franco, President . Cutting the ribbon is Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn from DCNR, Drew Dehoff, Exec. Dir. of SRBC, Representative Barb Gleim, and Tim Schaeffer , Exec. Dir of the PAFBC. FHHM received primary funding from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Boating Facilities Program, and from DCNR’s rivers program, along with a mini grant from SRBC to fund construction of the portage and launch.
Comments and congratulations were shared by our important guests. Approximately 60 neighbors, members, contractors and invited county and local officials also attended. Brief tours of the interior of the Mill were offered along with some local cider and cookies. Check out our Portage Project Page for additional photos of the completed project.
The Mill owners, Randy and Angie Heishman have been actively involved in the planning for this project and generously donated a 27 year recreational easement. FHHM has agreed to maintain the improvements over the life span of these improvements.
JOIN OUR DYNAMIC ORGANIZATION
Ways to get involved
FHHM welcomes new members, volunteers, as well as those who may be interested in serving on a committee or on the Board of Directors.
Members are welcome at all events and will be kept informed of news and special events via email. Please consider becoming a member.
Monthly Board of Directors Meetings
Next Monthly Board Meeting, September 18, 2024 at 4 pm at the Mill, 1206 Creek Road, Carlisle, Pa. 17015. Contact Board President Ed Franco 717 576 7498 (efranco99@comcast.net) for more information and to receive an agenda. All are welcome.
Annual Creek Sojourn
CONDOGUINET CREEK (Class 1 ) 2025 SOUJOURN HEISHMAN’S MILL to NORTH MIDDLETON PARK: Saturday April 26, 2025, 9 am at the Mill
The 2025 Heishman’s Mill Sojourn is a 10 mile adventure on the Conodoguinet Creek, Class 1 water, from the Heishman’s Mill Portage and Put In to North Middleton Park. A brief presentation of the Heishman’s Mill History will precede the put-in. Safety personnel will be introduced to the sojourners, and a Safety Briefing given, prior to the launching of water craft. The duration of the trip will be approximately 3 hours, Waterfowl species will be described to paddlers before starting the sojourn, and courtesy suggestions for accommodating fishermen will be presented. Food and refreshments will be provided at the end of the paddle at North Middleton Park picnic area. A shuttle will be provided back to the Mill to retrieve your vehicle.
We filled up quickly in 2023 and 2024! “History and a Sojourn? What could be better?”
All paddlers will meet at Heishman’s Mill 1206 Creek Road Carlisle on the day of the Sojourn.
General Information .
$30/person with own kayak or canoe.
A canoe or kayak can be rented for $25 with advance registration.
Watercraft type & Length_(e.g.canoe 17’)__________________________ or Rented (_____)
PFDs (Life Jackets) are required, and must be worn on the Sojourn. Shuttle service will be provided to all paddlers so you can have access to your vehicle at Heishman’s Mill at the end of the day on the Creek.
Post Sojourn Refreshments: Pizza and soft drinks served at North Middleton Park.
FOLK ART WOOD CARVING EXPO. Sat. June 28, 2025 9am to 4pm SPIRIT OF SCHIMMEL WOOD CARVING EXPO
Friends of Historic Heishman’s Mill is very pleased to host a demonstration and expo of regional wood carvers in the Folk Art Tradition of Wilhelm Schimmel, an itinerant folk art wood carver who lived and worked in the area in the late 1800s. Schimmel was a personal friend of John Greider who owned the Mill from 1868 to 1896. The Cumberland County Historical Society has a number of Schimmel carvings on display. Friends of Historic Heishman’s Mill wish to thank the Cumberland County Historical Society for their help and encouragement to offer this free public expo and educational event at the mill.
Water-Powered Mills of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Cumberland County Historical Society, Page 115 …. ” During Greider’s ownership, Wilhelm Schimmel (1817-1890), a German itinerant woodcarver, came to be housed at the Greider property. Schimmel used the mill as his “”home base”” and the site for his carving. He would leave and then return after wandering away to various known and at times unknown destinations. Presumably, some of the wood he used for his carvings would have been “”picked up”” at the Greider saw mill. Regarded as the modern equivalent of a vagrant, Schimmel is now famous. … notable examples can be viewed at the Cumberland County Historical Society, as well as in major American museum collections.”
Mill tours will be arranged on a regular basis in the near future. Please stay tuned.
