Last month, I had the pleasure of watching a good friend at the blacksmithing demo at Historic Yates Mill County Park. It was amazing to watch them forge steel into cool trinkets right on the spot: bottle openers, sculptures, and small fence posts. Lucky for us, the park was also conducting their monthly Corn Grinding Tours that Saturday, so we attended the short tour.
First, we went into the old mill to learn about the history and watch a corn grinding demo. Then we explored the nearby shed where we saw old artifacts and learned about shelling corn. Finally, the guide led us below the dam where we learned about the mill restoration project and the damage from Hurricane Fran. Since the Corn Grinding Tours only happen one weekend a month, plan ahead by arriving early since I’m sure they get busy. Here’s some information about the upcoming mill tours and other programs:
- Mill Heritage & Local History Tours: various Saturdays and Sundays from 2-3pm; $5 for adults, $4 for seniors (60+), $3 for children (ages 7-16); reservations are encouraged
- Corn Grinding Tours: April 21-22, May 19-20, June 16-17, July 21-22, Aug 18-19, Sept 15-16, Oct 20-21, Nov 17-18; Sat 10am-noon; Sat/Sun 1-4pm; Tours start every 20 minutes; $5 for adults, $4 for seniors (60+), $3 for children (ages 7-16)
- Weekend Kids’ History Detective Tour: Sat, May 5 from 10-11am; $4 for children (ages 5-16); $5 for accompanying adults; $4 for accompanying seniors; most appropriate for ages 5-12; reservations are required
- Weekend Tip Top to Bottom Tour: Explore all 4 floors of the mill; Sat, June 23 from 10am-noon; $10 for adults; $8 for seniors (60+); $6 for children (ages 10-16); most appropriate for ages 14+
- Up, Up, and Away Astronomy: Thurs, Apr 12 from 7-8:30pm; for all ages with accompanying adult; $5/family or $3/person
- Little Red Hen & Her Friends: Mon, May 7 from 10-noon; ages 4-6 with accompanying adult; $12/child; visit inside the mill, have storytime, and do a craft
- Mother’s Day Hike: Sun, May 13 from 11-noon; for all ages with accompanying mom; $5/family
- Paddle the Pond – Canoeing: Sat, May 19 & June 16 from 9-10am and 10:30-11:30am; ages 6+ with accompanying adult; $10/boat
Visit Historic Yates Mill County Park or find them on Facebook to learn more about the many other family programs, mill tours, summer camps, adult workshops, and children’s programs going on this year!