The main mill structure on 30 acres of land, owned by the township since 1976, was originally an early 30' X 40' limestone grist mill on property owned by Benjamin Ring. Check this webpage: http://www.ushistory.org/Brandywine/washington.htm

The mill, changing to Turner's Mill, fell into disuse in the 1890's. It was then that Howard Pyle, an art teacher & painter, rented the unused mill as an art studio for his students.

Pyle, 1853-1911, became one of the best known illustrators of his day, enriching all who saw his work. A particular pupil of his was N. C. Wyeth, who headed the painting family of Wyeths in Delaware County and Southeastern Pennsylvania.

The Branywine River Art Museum, at the former Hoffman Grist Mill in Chadds Ford, is devoted to displaying the Wyeth's artwork as well as other talented area artists.

The mill was converted into a residence in the early 1900's and by the late 1950's, was a hollowed out shell of a structure due to fire during the 1950's. It was purchased by Birmingham Twp. in 1976 with a possible view of restoring the art studio and/or developing the grounds for public use. As of 1998, nothing had been accomplished to fulfill the goals for the old mill.

Since 1998-2008, much has been developed in the form of a nicely restored mill structure to serve as a townsip meeting hall and new consruction to provide offices for the township's municipal addministration facilities.