Work began last week on the repair and stabilization of the tide mill at historic Poplar Grove in Mathews. Ben Hassett, considered by some to be the leading millwright in the U.S., spent the week evaluating the structure and removing the mill stones, gears and the mill wheel in preparation for hauling the gear train back to his Louisville, Kentucky, workshop for repairs. Last Thursday, Hassett removed the 15’6” by 9’ wheel, built by local carpenter Wesley Sanger in 2015 after the original historic wheel was destroyed in 2003 during Hurricane Isabel. Hassett said the wheel was well-built and in good shape, but the bottom was buried in silt and will need to be cleaned of mud and crustaceans before it can be put back in use. It will be stored on the property until it can be set in place again. The gears for the wheel were embedded in 1.5 to 2 feet of silt, said Hassett, and any repairs needed will be made with parts he custom manufactures in his shop. The original cast iron gear train is ...