Painter-Bernatz Mill

The Painter-Bernatz Mill, also known as the Old Stone Mill, is a historic site in Decorah, Iowa, built in 1851 by William Painter. This remarkable structure, featuring native limestone and a distinctive gable roof, was powered by a mill race from the Upper Iowa River, marking it as the first of many mills in the area. It operated until 1964 and is now part of the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, showcasing exhibits on agriculture and industry. As the oldest building in Decorah and a site within the Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area, it offers a glimpse into the region's industrial history and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1974.