Restoring character to Sable River landmark

It is not the first building Hines has purchased and worked on. He has restored buildings as a hobby for the past 30 years and has a great interest in architectural artifacts.

Some of his earlier projects include such structures as the Rossignol Cultural Centre in Liverpool and Maude Lewis House.

Currently, the roof is 50 per cent completed using an original style shingle board with eight inches to-the-weather.

No small detail will go unnoticed. He is asking the community for old photographs dating back to the beginning of the mill’s existence.

He also plans to resurrect the 12-inch diametre water wheel with its original top shot entry. It will continue through a flume or water-carrying trough in which he will place a small hydro generator to produce power.

At one time the wheel was used to grind grain as a gristmill but Hines has different plans. He envisions using the supplied power to run an old-fashioned double wheel coffee grinder.

Hines admitted he isn’t certain what he will do with the completed mill but has plenty of ideas flowing through his head. These include a residential cottage to rent out or a main level period antique shop.

Whatever it will become, Hines prides himself on top quality craftsmanship and is paying plenty of attention to detail.

For example, his plans for the interior include restoring the main level of the original mill, as it might have been, to expose its hand-hewn beams.

"It has gone into a seriously deteriorated state over the past years," said Hines.

He has gutted the building of its low quality fibreboard made mostly of eel grass and stripped it back to it's original state by replacing the fibreboard with architecturally-correct board and batten.

Hines has produced over 80 books of his photography that have sold worldwide in addition to working as a portrait photographer for high ranking provincial employees, artists and actors.