At Left: Wide view of front right side of loom. The warp beam brake stick is secured to base of loom with leather strap.

At Right: Detailed view of rocker. The rocker is kept in place on loom base with the peg-in-hole method. There is one long peg in the underside of the rocker and a corresponding hole in the loom base.

The loom was donated to the Smithville Community Historical Society, in 1994 by R.D. Hoffelt, a great great grandson of the loom builder.

The loom was built by Nathan Akins of Fairplay Missouri (near Springfield), around 1860. Nathan Akins was born October 1, 1844, and died April 3, 1926. His father, James Akins (1796-1862), was originally from western Virginia, and his mother, Elizabeth, came from Georgia. James and Elizabeth migrated to southwestern Missouri soon after their marriage; all the children were born in Poke County, Missouri -- the eldest in 1821. Nathan Akins was a Union veteran of the Civil War, wounded at Big Blue.

The Mishler Weaving Mill is now owned and operated by the Smithville Community Historical Society. The mill contains a variety of old handlooms, power looms, warping reels, and weaving equipment that can be seen in operation Wednesday afternoons, 1:30 - 4:00. The various machines are run by Smithville Community Historical Society volunteers, and woven products can be purchased at the museum.