Historic Yates Mill
There are a variety of events happening this month at Historic Yates Mill County Park this June. You can check out a weekend mill tour, corn grinding tours, mill technology tour, and much more.
Weekend Mill Tours
In partnership with Yates Mill Associates, all funds raised through tours are used to support Yates Mill’s ongoing maintenance and operations. Weekday tours to organized groups are also available upon request – call the park’s Group Program Coordinator at (919) 856-7066 for more details.
Mill Heritage Tours
Explore the mill’s business & social history during a one-hour guided tour, Saturdays and Sundays from 2-3pm on June 11-12 and 25-26. Explore how power is transferred from the water wheel to the milling machinery. Pre-registration is not required, but is encouraged for groups of 10 or more people. Fee: $5/Adults, $3/Seniors (60 & over), $3/Child (7-16), children age 6 & under are free.
Corn Grinding Tours
Come out on Saturday between 10am-12pm and 1-4pm, and Sunday between 1-4pm on June 18-19. See the historic mill in operation during 1/2-hour tours and learn how the corn-milling machinery works. Pre-registration is not required, but is encouraged for groups of 10 or more people. Fee: $5/Adults, $3/Seniors (60 & over), $3/Child (7-16), children age 6 & under are free. Last tour begins at 3:40pm.
Mill Technology Tour – June 25
View the fully restored mill and explore how the gristmill works and how power is transferred from the mill’s waterwheel to all 4 floors of milling machinery on Saturday, June 25, from 10am-12pm. Pre-registration is required. Be prepared to climb a lot of stairs! Fee: $10/Adults, $6/Children (12 -16), $6/Seniors (60 & over).
Historic Yates Mill is operated and maintained by the non-profit group Yates Mill Associates (www.yatesmill.org). This charitable community group was formed in 1989 with their mission at that time being to get the mill restored. Today the volunteers of Yates Mill Associates continue to care for the mill and help with its interpretation to the public. Keeping the mill in working order is no small task – it takes a lot of volunteer effort and monetary funds to keep the “wheels turning”. We encourage you to find out more about this group and to consider becoming a supporting member.
“Escape the daily grind” by participating in a variety of fun programs and events!
Other Program Offerings
Paddle the Pond
Saturday, June 18; 9-10am and 10:30-11:30am; Ages: ALL. Fee: $7/canoe; Pre-registration is required! Come out for a morning canoe float. After basic instruction, participants will be able to explore the millpond’s many features as seen only from the water. Canoes, paddles, and lifejackets will be provided. Prior canoeing and swimming experience is desired but not required. This program is subject to suitable weather conditions.
Goodness Snakes Alive!
Saturday, June 18; 2-3pm; Ages: ALL. Fee: FREE; Pre-registration is required! Join Dave Woodward as he discusses the types of snakes that are commonly seen in Wake County as well as in other parts of NC and the world, and also some of the research he‘s been involved with involving two species of snakes found in the Sandhills ecosystem of NC. He will have live snakes to show program participants. Dave retired from N.C. State University after working 30 years as a research wildlife biologist.
Family Hike: Day Out with Dad
Sunday, June 19; 11am-12pm; Ages 4 & over. Fee: $5/family or $3/individual; Pre-registration is required! Spend some quality time enjoying the great outdoors with your family while getting some fresh air and exercise. Develop your child‘s interest in nature and explore some of the tools that can be used to investigate nature.
Nature Watchers: Mighty Mice
Monday, June 27; 10-11am; Ages 3-5 w/accompanying adult. Fee: $4/child or $10 for 3 programs; Pre-registration is required! Discover the natural world through stories, hands-on nature activities, games, crafts and outdoor exploration. Mice are so cute and fuzzy. What does a mouse do in a day? We will read “Two Tiny Mice”and make a crafty mouse.
The Miller’s Apprentice Camp
June 28 – 30 (3 days) at Historic Yates Mill County Park; 9 am-3 pm; $110/child. For Ages 10-13. Campers will learn what it was like to be a miller‘s apprentice in the 1700s. We will learn about mill mechanics, colonial inventors, wood working, renewable energy, agriculture, early North Carolina history, and much more! Camp size is limited to 12. Lunch not provided.