The How-Beckman Mill is a simple, rectangular, timber-frame building. The structural timbers are hewn white pine. The mill is three-stories tall and approximately 34¿ by 42¿. It rests on a full limestone basement that is partially exposed on the sides and fully exposed in the rear. Under the basement, to the rear, is a turbine pit with two horizontal turbines. The building and its turbines have been meticulously restored and is fully operational.

The How-Beckman Mill is a significant vestige of 19th century water power and rural industry. It is the last operating example of what were once a great number of grist and saw mills in Rock County. Charles Goodhue, Jr. built the mill in 1858 to replace one that had been destroyed by fire. In 1868, the mill passed into the ownership of William How and he converted the structure into a flouring mill. In 1882, Catherine Beckman was deeded the mill. The mill was operated continuously by the Beckman family from 1882 until 1954. Their peak years of production were during World War I, when the mill operated night and day. The mill operated until the 1950s. The mill was in poor condition and on the verge of collapse in 1990 when the Friends of Beckman Mill was formed to preserve and restore the building.

The Beckman Mill is open to the public seasonally from May through October.