Future Aultman-Taylor saw mill near Franklin Grove, IL...Help?

[Rooster]

So this is what we are up against...

The Franklin Grove Historical Society (Northern IL) has an 1896 Aultman - Taylor circle mill.  It was donated a number of years ago and has been sitting in the weeds.  Before it was donated, it was in a fire that badly charred the wood frame that is rests on.  I am trying to help with bringing this mill back into operation, so that it can be used for demonstrations and help pay for it's own restoration...making a few $$ for the historical society would be cool as well.

I am hoping to post some photos.

We are looking for as much advice and eperience as we can get, so that we can be headed in the right dirction and get some sort of game plan together.

Does anybody in the area know John Ross (Sawyer)?

Thanks guys,

Rooster

[Don_Papenburg]

I will check with Rick at Grand Detour . He might know some one who knows John.

[Brad_bb]

I know a good metal stripping place to help restore.  The parts should also be prepped and sealed properly with a good epoxy sealer and painted with a good UV resistant paint.  Industrial enamels will work, but I also really like automotive acrylic urethanes.  They seem to have the best UV resistance.