A rare 19th-century cider mill has been brought back to life in Braidwood, crushing its first batch of apples in more than 100 years during a special demonstration at the Braidwood Museum and Heritage Centre. The historic machine, originally manufactured in 1868 by the Albert Day Foundry, had long been a static exhibit at the museum before being carefully restored to full working condition. Local carpenter Ned Bott undertook the challenging restoration, rebuilding nearly all of the mill’s timber and mechanical components using only the remnants of the original structure as a guide.

Without manuals or reference images, Bott recreated the hopper, catch box, steel-toothed rollers, roller housing, and several forged iron parts, spending countless hours cleaning and reconstructing the machinery to preserve its authenticity. A breakthrough came when photographs of a similar mill located on a farm in Hestercombe were discovered, helping identify missing design details and enabling further refinements. The successful apple-crushing demonstration delighted museum visitors and proved the machine was once again fully operational.

The restoration is part of a broader effort to revive traditional cider-making techniques in the region. Bott hopes to next restore an early 20th-century apple press housed at the museum, capable of processing more than one tonne of fruit at a time. Once both machines are operational, the museum plans to hold regular demonstrations and potentially produce locally made cider, offering visitors a unique glimpse into the agricultural and industrial heritage of the Southern Tablelands.

The project not only preserves a significant piece of machinery but also reconnects the community with the craftsmanship and ingenuity of earlier generations, ensuring this remarkable artifact continues to educate and inspire for years to come.