Miller's House at Red Mills


Bruyn Estate at Red Mills Farm or "Miller's House at Red Mills Farm" is a historic estate and farm located in Shawangunk in Ulster County, New York. Situated on just under 30 acres, Bruyn Estate has two residential dwellings totaling eight bedrooms. It is on the east side of the Shawangunk Kill at the Ulster/Orange Counties line. Wallkill Avenue is north of the building with the Shawangunk Kill east of it.
The one half story frame farmhouse with a partially exposed cellar and interior end chimneys was constructed c.1835 on a site overlooking the Shawangunk Kill. The northwest facade of the five-bay center hall structure has 6/6 sashes with plain window heads and sills. The center entry, framed by pilasters which support a full entablature, has three-paned sidelights.
Bruyn Estate at Red Mills Farm is significant as a distinctive example of Greek Revival style architecture. It is also significant as a surviving component of an industrial complex originating in the eighteenth century. The architectural integrity of the house is embodied in its form, original materials, unique iron grill work, elaborate interior woodwork and door moldings.
The farmhouse at Red Mills known as 'Red Mills Farm' was built c.1835 by Roe and Arminda Coleman on this site overlooking the Shawangunk Kill. The early mill site included a sawmill and gristmill which were in proximity to the miller's house. The location allowed the miller a view of mill operations, and the height of the water in the mill could also be monitored. The sawmill and gristmill were destroyed by fire in the mid-twentieth century, leaving only remnants of a dam and mill race channel, and the existing miller's house.
The site was originally owned by the patentee, Abraham Jansen. Roe Coleman purchased the land in 1835 and began construction of the mill buildings and the house.
The site is known as 'Red Mills' and this name has been attributed to the color of the mill buildings. It has also been called 'Green Mills', presumably after a subsequent owner, Russell G. Green.
Also on the property is a contributing well.
The property is currently owned by Colan and Cristy Lee McGeehan.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.