“… where you always find what you’re not looking for.”

SHAKER MILL BOOKS AND THE BOOK MILL

In 2013, Shaker Mill and the adjacent building in West Stockbridge, were purchased by long-time Berkshire bookseller, Eric Wilska, who for many years owned The Bookloft in Great Barrington. The newer building houses an extensive collection of used, rare and out-of-print books. And the venerable old mill, continuing its evolution, now features unusual books and book-related art, whimsically displayed, where once three were millstones, grain bins and flour sacks.

HISTORY The Mohican (Stockbridge-Munsee) Indians leased this land in 1763 to early West Stockbridge settler Elijah Williams, who built a dam on the river and an iron forge on its east bank. In 1805, attorney and land speculator Enoch W. Thayer, moved two barns to the site and joined them together to create the present structure, a grist mill. The Tyringham Shaker Community bought the structure in 1818, operating as a grist mill until 1851. A subsequent owner harnessed energy from the Williams River in 1900 to power the mill and provide the town with electric lights. In 1933, the mill was purchased by Arthur Baldwin, who converted it into a hardware, food and lumber enterprise; beginning in 1970 the space housed antiques.

SHAKER MILL

Eric Wilska (above left) owner of Shaker Mill Books/ Book sculpture (bottom left)/ Central vertical opening in Shaker Mill, open to 4 floors of the barn; books collections presently on first two levels/ Collection of Chez Panisse Cookbooks.

EDITH WHARTON CORNER

GILDED SPINES

GILT PAGES: “It's common to see page-edges of books, particularly antiquarian books, shining with gold. Often it's just the top edges, but front and bottom edges can be gilded, as well. The gilt is beautiful and eye-catching, but also serves a practical purpose - applied in conjunction with glue, it helps to protect the page edges from browning, moisture and dust.”AbeBooks | By Beth Carswell