The Winooski Falls Mill District is renowned for its industrial heritage, with its historic textile mills and towering smokestacks still lining the riverbanks. In mid-October, a 175-foot-tall crane from Hutch Crane Service in Bradford moved next to the Chace Mill’s brick smokestack. The stack, built in the early 1900s, has been nonoperational for decades and required essential repairs due to falling bricks. Jonathan Brownell and Will Devereux from White Falcon Solutions in Vergennes were hired to repoint the bricks and make the stack waterproof. They used a man basket held aloft by a cable attached to a 100,000-pound crane controlled by Rick Hutchins. The entire operation took a little over three weeks, with a brief interruption from a snowstorm.

Seven Days senior multimedia producer Eva Sollberger caught a ride with the masons in their basket, as they squeezed lime mortar between the bricks’ joints and waited for it to dry before scraping off the excess. The basket swayed in the breeze about 135 feet in the air, offering epic views of the Winooski River, the Champlain Mill, the Woolen Mill, and the city of Winooski. The entire operation was filmed on 11/2/23 and supported by New England Federal Credit Union.

The Chace Mill, a 90,000-square-foot property owned by Redstone, underwent these repairs to its iconic smokestack with the help of skilled professionals utilizing specialized equipment. The project demonstrated the commitment to preserving the historic industrial architecture in the Winooski Falls Mill District. The work also showcased the expertise of the masons and crane operators involved in the meticulous and challenging process of repairing the deteriorating smokestack.

Overall, the episode captured the unique and intricate nature of the restoration work while highlighting the breathtaking views of the Winooski River and surrounding mills, ultimately celebrating the industrial heritage of the Winooski Falls Mill District.

Source: https://www.sevendaysvt.com/arts-culture/stuck-in-vermont-repointing-the-chace-mill-smokestack-with-two-men-in-a-basket-held-aloft-by-a-crane-39516816