This immense granite stone in the Upper Millyard is a gristmill stone. Massive stones like this one were used in mills as early as the 1600’s. Local farmers brought their harvested grains (corn, barley, rye, etc.) to the gristmill so their crops could be ground into meal and flour.

Go to the Upper Millyard to see this stone and visit the Industrial History Center to learn more about Amesbury’s early history. And see our moving diorama of a gristmill in action!

Design Your Own Runner Stone

Download this Activity Guide to learn more about how gristmill stones were used to grind grain into flour and design your own runner stone using paper plates.