George Washington's Gristmill
In 1770-1771, George Washington constructed a new merchant gristmill on his Dogue Run Farm. The gristmill was critical to his business plan for Mount Vernon, grinding wheat and corn to produce a variety of products including flour and cornmeal, for use on the plantation and for sale. Washington exported flour to the West Indies and Southern Europe, realizing good profits. In 1791, he installed the latest advancement in milling systems known as the Oliver Evans automated milling system.