DATE FOUNDED:
1996

MISSION:
The Moulin Groleau, an authentic French Canadian woolen mill dating to 1941, is a privately owned and operated interpretation centre which provides demonstrations of a functional mill as well as wool carding techniques of the past. All of the equipment and machinery in the mill are original and operational, including the 18-foot interior water wheel.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:
a) Groleau Carding Mill (1941), a 2-storey, shingled mill with a mansard roof. One of the few surviving French Canadian mills in the Townships.
b) Summer theatre (located in the old barn).
c) Farm animals (for children).
d) Dam on Roy Brook, with canal leading to the mill.
e) Picnic facilities.

COLLECTIONS:
Antique wool-processing machinery. Objects and equipment related to wool production.

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES:
Wool carding demonstrations. Guided tours of the mill facilities and machinery, including the functional water wheel. Artisanal production of wool products. Items available for sale. Summer theatre. Farm animals for the enjoyment of children.

PUBLICATIONS:
N/A.

BUSINESS HOURS:
June 1-October 1. Please call before visiting.

ENTRY FEES / MEMBERSHIPS:
General admission: $7.00 per person (please call in advance).

LANGUAGE OF SERVICE:
French.

HOW TO REACH US:
Address: 518 Rang 5 Sud, East Broughton, QC G0N1G0.
Tel: (418) 427-2834.
Fax: N/A.
Email: moulaine@sympatico.ca

WEB SITE: N/A.

OTHER INFORMATION:
History: The first mill on this site was a sawmill built by François Vachon around 1853. Purchased by Edmond Gosselin, it burned in 1895 but was rebuilt. In 1911, it was purchased by Ernest Plante, who built a new dam in 1921 and added mill stones for grinding flour. Later, the Plantes turned to carding wool, which at that time supplied the material for most blankets and 60% of the clothing people wore - mittens, coats, and hats. In 1931, the mill passed to Plante's daughter, Ernestine, and her husband Amédé Groleau. A fire levelled the mill in 1941, but it was once again rebuilt. This time, its sole vocation was carding wool, which Ernestine continued to do until 1973. Eventually the mill was sold to the local historical society which turned it into an interpretation centre. In 1996, it was sold to Alain Leclerc, the adoptive son of Ernestine Groleau.