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Windmill from Russia to Fort Ross
15.06.2012 14:33
The Voice of Russia http://english.ruvr.ru/
Yelena Kovachich (Yelena Kovacic)
Jun 5, 2012
Fort Ross © Photo: ru.wikipedia.org
The reconstruction of a windmill for Fort Ross has been almost completed in the Vologda region in northwestern Russia. Craftsmen have tested all its mechanisms and are preparing to send it to the U.S. The windmill will produce flour from grains like it did 200 years ago and remind of the Russian settlement in America.
Fort Ross is described as the "Russian America". The former settlement was organized by a Russian-American company engaged in fur trade in 1812. In the early 19th century, the Russian settlers built their first wind mill in California. They arrived in America not to collect raw materials or hunt animals but to promote development, says first deputy director of "Link of Times" foundation, Rinat Umarov.
"One of the elements of that development was the wind mill. Before this, there were water mills and mills that used animal force. For us, these windmills have become a symbol, and we decided to recreate one in California so as to remind that Russia was one of the countries that brought civilization there," Rinat Umarov said.
A decision to reconstruct a replica of an ancient mill was adopted under an agreement on the preservation of the State Park in California. In June 2010, it was signed by the then, Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger and the founder of the "Link of Times" cultural and historical foundation, Victor Vekselberg.
The recreation of the mill was entrusted to the craftsmen in the Vologda region. First, they had broad experience in carpentry. They had reconstructed several wooden churches in Russia. Second, the only preserved picture of the windmill in California shows that it is similar to those used somewhere near Vologda. There used to be at least ten such mills around each village. At present, there is no trace of them, and their drawings have not been preserved. In these circumstances, the task before the craftsmen was very difficult. Nevertheless, using the tools of the 19th century, the craftsmen have reconstructed an old windmill. In fact, this is not a decorative model. It is functioning, says Rinat Umarov.
"The idea was to reconstruct a working mechanism so that the mill could grind grain and produce flour. We thought that it would be interesting for visitors of Fort Ross to interact with the mill like the first settlers did. People can get involved in this process rather than just looking at a model," Rinat Umarov added.
The first tests have successfully ended. Later, the mill will be dismantled and shipped to the U.S. The new mill will be opened at a ceremony that will be held in October.
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