The Friends Of
Woodson’s Mill
About
The Friends of Woodson’s Mill, formed in 2024, supports the preservation and maintenance of this Nelson County landmark as a unique Virginia commercial producer of stone ground flour and meal. We work closely with Deep Roots Milling, the company that grinds the grain, and Woodson's Mill property owners Bill and Cookie Chinworth.. We support the Common Grain Alliance, a regional organization of farmers, millers, and bakers building a new grain economy.
The Friends group has begun research into the mill’s history, which stretches back to the late 18th century, and is focusing in particular on owner Julian Woodson, a physician, entrepreneur, and public servant – and the tenure of Black miller Ed Willis, who managed the facility and Woodson’s farm for more than half a century.
Youth education is another goal of our group. Mill operation encompass several subjects useful for teachers, including the technology of water-power, methods of basic food production, and labor-saving inventions. These lessons can be supplemented by learning about new and sustainable farming techniques, and the importance of historic/cultural preservation.
The Nelson County Community Fund and the Bama Works Fund made grants to the Friends of Woodson's Mill in 2025 to support creation of this website and the printing of brochures. Virginia Humanities has awarded the Friends group a grant to support an education program at the mill, and creation of historic information panels for display inside the mill building.
In 2024, a part of the mill’s roof was replaced, and work began on the repair of west wall siding. Deep Roots has purchased a vehicle allowing the safe and efficient transport of grain and flour, and constructed a loading dock to the same end. Funding for improvements also came from the owners of the mill and Virginia’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development program. FOWM has initiated a round of grant applications to support further structural work and modernization.