 Red Clay Creek Flood, 9/15/03
The
Greenbank Mill survived three centuries of economic and political
disasters, a fire in 1969, and Hurricane Floyd in 1999; the
Red Clay Creek flood is just one more chapter to add to the
continuing history of this cultural treasure.
Despite delays in completing restoration, Greenbank Mill Associates
has continued to provide quality programming. Beginning in late
December, we were able to book hall rentals, a major source of
GMA revenue. The success of Greenbank's recovery so far is the
direct result of the hard work our volunteers. Thousands of hours
spent shoveling mud, cleaning objects, removing walls, and sweeping
made a real difference. This is a testimony to the support among
the community for Greenbank Mill. Without the volunteer efforts,
the building would have been contaminated with mold and much more
would have been lost.
 Greenbank’s recovery from the devastation caused by Tropical
Storm Henri is beginning to move along. Greenbank suffered
about $450,000 worth of damage from the largest storm in the
history of Red Clay Creek. The damage, however, was mostly
to the modern components of the gristmill and Madison Factory,
the bridges, and elements of the water system that had not
been restored. (See summary below.) With grants from Fairplay
Foundation, Crystal Trust, 1772 Foundation, and Welfare Foundation,
Greenbank should be able to match FEMA grant requirements.
We are still in the final negotiations with FEMA, the Fire
Marshal's Office, and the State Historic Preservation Office
to get the work moving. 
Thank you to everyone who worked to clean up, bake, make contacts,
donate equipment and supplies, donate money, and gave us support
in many, many ways. Greenbank still needs your help in the
coming months to continue with clean up and some of the repair
work. And most importantly, we need your help with providing
programs and letting the public know we are open for business.
Thank you
What Happened?
 On
September 15, 2003 a freak storm dropped 8½ inches of
rain in the Red Clay Creek watershed in twelve hours. The flood
that resulted brought over twelve feet of water down the Red
Clay Valley in less than two hours. The water rose to chest
high levels in the first floor of the gristmill and textile
mill, reaching the highest level in living memory and possibly
recorded history. When the water receded, three to six inches
of mud filled the first floor of the mills, the metal truss
bridge lay crumpled in Red Clay Creek, the foot and truck bridges
washed off their foundations, and critical elements of the
water system required repairs. Fortunately, the flood mitigation
measures put in place after Hurricane Floyd minimized damage.
Unfortunately, we received six more feet of water than during
any earlier storm.
What Needed to Be Done?
 Water
and mud damage required the removal the bottom half of all
wall coverings and insulation in both the gristmill and the
textile mill. This step was necessary in order to dry out the
wood and to avoid mold. Once the building was dry, the insulation,
wallboard, and damaged wood siding were replaced. All of the
mechanical systems (HVAC, security, sprinkler pump, and electrical)
had to be replaced and are being relocated to the first floor
during restoration to minimize future damage. Water-damaged
floors must be sanded and refinished. Windows and doors needed
to be repaired and in some cases replaced. A section of the
mill wall next to the machinery area was washed away by the
flood. We plan to replace the wooden wall with Plexiglas to
bring more light to the mill equipment and to make viewing
the machinery easier. The cabinets in the kitchen area were
destroyed and had to be replaced. Most of the contents of the
office and fifteen of twenty-three tables in the hall were
destroyed.
 While
the recent renovations to the water system remain intact,
other areas deemed stable during earlier work are now
threatened. A wall foundation was undermined and another
wall washed out. The wash-out must be repaired to keep
it from developing into a full breech. Both dams had
boulders moved, which must be replaced. The water pressure
created a leak around the spillway structure that threatens
to undermine the foundations. In order to repair the
leak, a concrete wall must be poured in front of the
foundation. These and other repairs, less serious, must
be done in order to avoid possible erosion of the water
system and the need to perform major repairs to keep
the mill in operation. When the equipment is onsite replacing
the boulders and excavating for repairing the leak, it
will also be used to excavate and remove several hundred
cubic yards of sand and silt from the canals.
 The
metal truss bridge washed away and ended in a crumpled pile
in the middle of Red Clay Creek, downstream and beyond Greenbank
Road. The pony-pratt, pin-connected bridge was built in 1885
and served as the Greenbank Road bridge until 1972. It was
a beloved feature of the Red Clay Valley landscape, one of
only two of its kind in Delaware. Without the bridge, access
to our primary parking lot is restricted to Greenbank Road.
Replacement of the bridge is crucial to Greenbank Mill’s
continued operation and is important to the restoration of
the historic landscape. (Good news! Greenbank may have found
a replacement for the lost metal truss bridge. The structure
is a pony-pratt pin-connected bridge of the same width and
just a little longer than the one destroyed.)
What Can You Do? Support GMA Programs!
Check out Greenbank’s calendar
of programs. Come and experience
living history – and bring your friends! Encourage schools
and teachers and other groups to contact Greenbank Mill about
our programs. And, if you would like to volunteer or make a
donation, please contact us:
Greenbank Mill
500 Greenbank Road
Wilmington, DE 19808
(302) 999-9001
director@greenbankmill.org
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