Located in Medford, Kirby’s Mill is one of the oldest mills in the state of New Jersey. It also was one of the state’s last operating commercial mills, but today, Kirby’s Mill serves as a historical site for curious visitors.
In 1773, Isaac Haines petitioned the General Assembly for the building of a dam to power a gristmill and sawmill in Medford. By the spring of 1778, the gristmill and sawmill were opened for operation. In the early nineteenth century, a blacksmith shop was also opened near the mills.
In 1877, William Kirby bought the mill complex. Under the direction of Mr. Kirby, the waterwheel was removed and replaced with water turbines, which was intended to be more efficient. During this period, the sawmill and gristmill were thriving. The sawmill shipped a high volume of logs to local lumber yards and nearby cities, including Philadelphia and Baltimore. Meanwhile the gristmill was producing a high-quality wheat flour, buckwheat, rye flour, cornmeal, and chicken feed, which was used by many bakeries. During this time period, the Kirby’s Mill also expanded to sell coal and farm equipment.
As a result of World War I, the gristmill switched from focusing on flour production to livestock feed production. After decades of operation, the industry changed and the sawmill was shut down as a result of the lack of lumber. In addition, blacksmith shop was also closed. The gristmill continued to operate with water power until 1961, but as a result of a low water supply and mechanical issues, the gristmill was converted to operate off electricity.
In 1969, the Medford Historical Society purchased the Kirby’s Mill from the Kirby Brothers. Kirby’s Mill was declared a State Historical Site in 1971. Followingly, Kirby’s Mill was added to National Register of Historic Sites in 1972. The Medford Historical Society continues efforts to restore the Gristmill, Blacksmith Shop, Sawmill, and surrounding area, to keep it’s historical heritage alive.
Today, visitors can walk through the gristmill to learn about the history of Kirby’s Mill and the surrounding town. Inside, visitors spot many historic artifacts and signage, which transports them back in time. Visitors may even get a lucky sighting of the new Waterwheel operating outside, as well as a working Blacksmith Shop and Sawmill. Kirby’s Mill is typically open in the afternoons on the 1st and 3rd Sunday. While it might seem like limited hours, the Mill also hosts events, including the Annual Apple Festival, in which the Mill and Museum are opened for visitors. If you are in the area, it’s unique piece of history worth checking out.
Resources
“Kirby’s Mill.” Medford Historical Society. Medford, NJ. Accessed November 28, 2025. https://www.medfordhistory.org/kirby-s-mill
“Kirby’s Mill.” New Jersey Historic Trust: Affiliated with the Department of Community Affairs. Trenton, NJ. Accessed November 28, 2025. https://www.nj.gov/dca/njht/funded/sitedetails/kirbys_mill.shtml
McDonald, Dennis. Medford. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2012. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Medford/iuYew6pOv1kC?hl=en&gbpv=0
New Jersey History and Sites 
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