29

Gypsum being dumped from horse carts into ore cars.
19 September 1907
Hillsborough, New Brunswick, Canada

30

Engine 'Tad' hauling cars loaded with gypsum from the quarry to the mill.
19 September 1910
Hillsborough, New Brunswick, Canada

31

When opened in 1854 the plaster mill was the largest in Canada. From this mill, high grade gypsum was manufactured into plaster and shipped to markets all over of the world. The mill also produced lower quality grey and pink gypsum.

32

Photo of two samples of gypsum.
15 September 2003

33

The early mining was done using lanterns and pickaxes, later electric lights and compressed air drills were used.

34

Two miner's pit lamps, which were used by miners during the 19th century.
15 September 1860

35

The gypsum was craved out of the mine walls and then loaded into carts and hauled away by horse to the main shaft of the mine. The gypsum was then hauled in carts to the surface by a cable and winch system driven by a steam engine. Gypsum was also mined from the company's four quarries. The gypsum, from the mine or the quarries, was then loaded onto the company's private trains, nicknamed "Tadd" and "Connie," and transported to the plaster mill. There the stone was crushed into powder and dried in huge bins over wood fired furnaces. These furnaces burnt seven cords of wood a day. That is the same amount of wood required to heat a house for the winter.

36

King or Blight Quarry.
19 September 1910
Surrey, New Brunswick, Canada

37

Train Engines and crews delivering gypsum to the Plaster Mill.
19 September 1907
Hillsborough, New Brunswick, Canada

38

A train hauling cars loaded with gypsum to the Albert Manufacturing Company Mill in Hillsborough.
19 September 1911
Hillsborough, New Brunswick, Canada

39

The Albert Manufacturing Company Mill in Hillsborough.
19 September 1925
Hillsborough, New Brunswick, Canada

40

The dock in Hillsborough where plaster was loaded onto ships and sent to markets.
19 September 1925
Hillsborough, New Brunswick, Canada

41

The plaster mill burnt to the ground in 1873 and was rebuilt. The rebuilt mill then burned down in 1911. After the fire in 1911 it was feared that the plant would not reopen, however, the plant manager, Charles Osman, convinced the owners in New York to rebuild. The village council of Hillsborough then voted to exempt the company from taxation for the next few years and twelve months later the plant had been rebuilt and was once again operating.

42

The Albert Manufacturing Company Mill in Hillsborough.
19 September 1925
Hillsborough, New Brunswick, Canada