Lime Kilns

I became interested in Lime Kilns a few years ago when I was asked to become a cultural resource monitor for the Sheffield Lime Kiln on the National Park lands protecting the Appalachian Trail.  I am not going to talk about that kiln today, but rather one I visited in Wales.

Here are some shots of the Vennaway Kiln, also known as Kilvrough Kiln.

As you can see, it was a beautiful day with clear blue skies.  Perfect for our tour of the Gower Peninsula in South Wales.  For more information about kilns in the UK, see this great site.

Searching for a grist mill with LiDAR

Hiked north on Quarry Road out of West Springfield toward Ashley Reservoir in Holyoke on a mission to find the Saw and Shingle Mill shown on this 1831 map.

We found the area and except for some apparent excavation to grade the land and some 20th Century litter (truck parts, tires), there is really nothing to note.  The depression is fairly square and shows up on the LiDAR imagery.

Further north, the grist mill area shown on this later map from 1912, you can see actual building sites.

And this photo is the small building just east (right) of the brook.  

The larger "X" building, that I assume is a warehouse is on the opposite of the brook is a fairly large elevated platform that looks like this panoramic photo.

But a puzzle here is that in 1830, the grist mill is further downstream and on the opposite side.

More explanation is needed, but since we are expecting another ice storm, foot travel into the area is a bit difficult.  Finally here is a LiDAR image of the area that is directing our research.  More visits are needed.

NERR 2018 Poster Presentation

Here is the poster I shared at the 2018 National Environment and Recreation Research Symposium (NERR)  earlier this month.