Historic Yates Mill: Pages

milltours

Rebeccah Cope — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 18:33:23 GMT

Contact: Rebeccah Cope

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Guided tours of the mill are available during the months of March through the end of November.

Yates Mill is an operable grain mill established around 1756. The equipment in the mill is original, left after the Lea family ceased milling operations in the mid-1950s. A visit to this historic treasure provides an opportunity to learn about an integral aspect of rural life in the early days of settlement in Wake County.

Tour fees directly support the nonprofit Yates Mill Associates for maintenance and operations of Historic Yates Mill. For more information on how to become a member of Yates Mill Associates, please visit: www.yatesmill.org.

Yates Mill merchandise is for sale on the third weekend of each month from March to November. Yates Mill stone-ground cornmeal and postcards are available every day from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the park visitor center.

Looking for other park programs? View the park's Public Programs page or the park's Organized Group Programs page.

Available Tours

Mill Open House – Saturdays at the Mill!

Want to get inside Historic Yates Mill? Join us for a half-hour tour (starting at 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 2:30 p.m. or 3 p.m.) to view the main power drive and milling machinery while exploring the mill's history and aspects of its preservation. Preregistration is not required. Limit: 15 people per half-hour tour. Tickets are available inside the park's visitor center. For all ages.

Half-Hour Guided Tour; Saturdays, 1–3 p.m.

Upcoming dates:

June 22

July 6, 13 and 27

August 3, 10, 24 and 31

September 7, 14 and 28

Fee:

$5 for Adults

$4 for Seniors (ages 60 & over)

$3 for Children (ages 7–16)*

*Children ages 6 and under are free

Mill Heritage and Local History Tours

Discover Historic Yates Mill – a place of business, community and exciting local history! Explore the inner workings of the mill itself and witness the power of water as it turns the milling machinery. Tickets are available inside the park's visitor center. Reservations are encouraged. Most appropriate for ages 7 & up.

One-Hour Guided Tour; Sundays, 2–3 p.m.

Upcoming dates:

June 23

July 4, 7, 14 and 28

August 4, 11 and 25

September 1, 8, 15 and 29

Fee:

$5 for Adults

$4 for Seniors (ages 60 & over)

$3 for Children (ages 7–16)*

*Children ages 6 and under are free

Corn Grinding Demonstrations

Step back in time with our 19th-century costumed interpreters and watch the millstones at work grinding corn into meal. Tours are offered every 20 minutes beginning at 10 a.m. Reservations are encouraged. Tours are not available between 12–1 p.m., and the last tour of the day begins at 3:40 p.m. Tickets are available in the Mill Yard on the day of the tours. Most appropriate for ages 7 & up.

Half-Hour Guided Tours; Saturdays, 10 a.m.–noon and Saturday & Sunday, 1–4 p.m.

Upcoming dates:

June 15 and 16

July 20 and 21

August 17 and 18

September 21 (during Fall Harvest Celebration event) and 22

Fee:

$5 for Adults

$4 for Seniors (ages 60 & over)

$3 for Children (ages 7–16)*

*Children ages 6 and under are free

Organized Group Mill Tours

Historic Yates Mill County Park is pleased to offer guided tours to groups of 10 or more. Telephone requests for group tours are made by contacting the Group Program Coordinator, Rosemary O'Day, at 919-856-5638 or rosemary.o'day@wakegov.com.

Tour dates are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations should be made at least two weeks in advance. April and May are the busiest field trip months and dates fill up quickly. For groups that may be interested in other programs in addition to a mill tour, please refer to the Field Trips section of our website.

Limited Tour Offerings:

Tip Top to Bottom Mill Tour

Opportunities to explore all four floors of the mill don’t happen often and are different each time! Learn the history of milling in North Carolina, test your mill trivia, and learn about the dangers of working in a mill. Be prepared to climb a lot of stairs! Reservations are required. Tickets are available inside the park's visitor center. Most appropriate for ages 14 & older.

Two-Hour Guided Tour; Saturdays, 10 a.m.–noon

Upcoming dates:

June 22

July 6

Fee:
$10 for Adults
$8 for Seniors (ages 60 & over)
$6 for Children (ages 10–16)

Kids' History Detective Tour

Do you have what it takes to be a History Detective? Come to Yates Mill and find out! Solve puzzles, hunt for clues, and investigate the mystery of milling with real historical artifacts. Reservations are required. Tickets are available inside the park's visitor center. Most appropriate for ages 5–12.

One-Hour Guided Tour; Saturdays, 11 a.m.–noon

Upcoming date:

August 12

Fee:

$4 for Children (ages 5–16)*

*Children ages 4 and under are free

$5 for Accompanying Adults

$4 for Accompanying Seniors (ages 60 & over)

Classification Type: Reference Information

Department/Division: Information Technology Services

programs

Rebeccah Cope — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 19:31:20 GMT

Comments: The go-to place for upcoming program and event listings for Historic Yates Mill County Park.

Contact: Rebeccah Cope

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Public Programs at Yates Mill

Historic Yates Mill County Park offers a variety of programming for all generations.

For a printout of upcoming programs and events, please refer to the Yates Mill April–June 2013 Program Bulletin.

Stay tuned – our July–September Program Bulletin is coming soon!

To register, complete and sign the Park Program Registration Form and return it with payment (made out to Wake County Parks) by mail or bring by the park office located at the address listed below.

Payment and registration form must be received to confirm your spot in our programs.

The following programs are offered at Historic Yates Mill County Park, 4620 Lake Wheeler Road, Raleigh, NC 27603. For more information about the following programs, contact the park at 919-856-6675 or email yatesmill@wakegov.com.

Looking for Tours of Yates Mill? View the Mill Tours page.
Looking for Organized Group Programs? View the Group Programs page.

Special Events

NC State Capitol's Independence Day Celebration

Thursday, July 4, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

Join us on the Capitol Square for a family-oriented Independence Day celebration with a patriotic concert and picnic. A naturalization ceremony for new citizens, trolley rides, musical performances, food and historic demonstrators round out this patriotic day of fun. Find us downtown at 1 Edenton Street. Admission is free and open to the public. http://www.nchistoricsites.org/capitol/

The 8th Annual Fall Harvest Celebration

Saturday, September 21, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

This family-oriented event includes costumed corn-grinding tours of Yates Mill, a fun children’s scavenger hunt activity, live music and dance, story-tellers, community displays, hand-craft demonstrations and sales, antique vehicles, farm tool displays, food vendors, and much more! For all ages, FREE! Preregistration is not required.

Historic Trades

Free demos and displays are available each month March–Nov. in the Mill Yard.

William Boylan – Entrepreneur, Newspaper Man, Mill Owner

Saturday, June 15, 1–4 p.m.

Entrepreneur, newspaper man, mill owner: just who was William Boylan? The historians at Yates Mill are working hard to find out, and we want to share our findings with you. Join us and discover this enigmatic figure from our mill history. For all ages; FREE! Preregistration is not required.

Chill Out – The History of Ice Manufacturing

Saturday, July 20, 1–4 p.m.

Cool summer treats like ice cream, snow cones, and popsicles all have one thing in common. Ice! Valued around the world for its cooling purposes for thousands of years, it was first harvested as a saleable commodity in the United States in the early 1800s. Explore the history of this often overlooked essential ingredient and try your hand at ice bowling. For all ages; FREE! Preregistration is not required.

Kids Can Do It!

Saturday, August 17, 1–4 p.m.

Balance work and play to experience 19th-century life through the eyes of a Piedmont child! Join us in the mill yard for antebellum games and fun, hands-on farm activities. For all ages; FREE! Preregistration is not required.

The September Historic Trades demonstration will be part of the September 21 Fall Harvest Celebration, the park's largest event of the year.

Family Features

These programs encourage families to enjoy a park experience together.

Natural Explorations: Summer Sightings Hike

Saturday, July 6, 8:30–9:30 a.m.

Head out with the whole family for a wild expedition into the wet and wooded lands surrounding Yates Mill Pond. Explore the park using binoculars and other field guides, and search for summer-time wildlife with a naturalist. For all ages; $5/family. Preregistration is required.

Art in the Park

Sunday, August 4, 1–4 p.m.

Get inspired by the park's natural beauty and contribute to a community art project celebrating Yates Mill in the summer-time. For all ages; FREE! Preregistration is not required. Head to the Finley Center reception desk to find out where this project will take place, or call the park ahead of time.

A Side of History: Paddle Power!

Monday, September 2, 1–3 p.m.

Simple machines make our work easier and more fun. Celebrate Labor Day with us and discover the awesome combination of green energy and simple machines! Make a paddle-boat, a pinwheel lift, and take a special mill tour! For all ages (most appropriate for ages 7–12); fee: $6/person. Preregistration is required.

Yates By Night: Take a Child Outside Hike

Friday, September 27, 7:30–8:30 p.m.

Discover the night world with your family and take a guided walk outdoors with a park naturalist. Walking after dark with children is a whole different experience that stimulates all our senses when everything is quiet and goes to sleep—or wakes up. For families of all ages; fee: FREE! Preregistration is required.

Recreational Adventures

Paddle the Pond – Canoeing – SESSION 1

Saturdays, June 29, July 27, August 24 and Sept. 28, 9–10 a.m.

Come out to Yates Mill Pond for a morning canoe float. After basic instruction, explore the pond’s many features as seen only from the water. Canoes, paddles and life jackets will be provided. This program is subject to suitable weather conditions. For ages 6+ (with accompanying adult), $10 per boat. Preregistration is required. Space is limited, so register early!

Paddle the Pond – Canoeing – SESSION 2

Saturday, June 29, July 27, August 24 and Sept. 28, 10:30–11:30 a.m.

Family Fishing Fun

Saturday, June 29, 1–3 p.m.

Sundays, July 28, August 25 and Sept. 29, 1–2 p.m.

Come out to the millpond and fish the old fashioned way – we'll provide you with a cane pole, tackle and bait, along with basic instructions and assistance with identifying fish species. You'll need to bring your own luck and patience! For ages 5 & up, with accompanying adult, $5/family or $3/person. Preregistration is encouraged.

Paddle the Pond – Canoeing – SESSION 3

Sunday, June 30, 1–2 p.m.

Sundays, July 28, August 25, and Sept. 29, 11 a.m.–noon

Just For Kids

Little Sprouts

Build a Beaver

Wednesday, July 17, 1–2 p.m.

B is for beavers, and they have been busy this spring! Learn what beavers look like by looking at real tracks, skulls and a pelt! Build a dam and walk to the boardwalk, then use our binoculars to spy on a real beaver dam! For ages 3–5 with accompanying adult; $4/child or $10 for 3 LS programs. Preregistration is required.

Pancakes, Pancakes!

Wednesday, August 21, 1–2 p.m.

Eric Carle's beautifully illustrated tale unravels the farm-to-food mystery of one of our favorite treats – pancakes! Hear the story while making a craft, then play the game of flippin' flapjacks! For ages 3–5 with accompanying adult; $4/child or $10 for 3 LS programs. Preregistration is required.

Seed-Sensations

Wednesday, September 18, 1–2 p.m.

Seeds are super! Join us we search for seeds, learn about their inner workings and what comes from them. For ages 3–5 with accompanying adult, $4/child or $10 for 3 LS programs. Preregistration is required.

Little Historians

Little Historians: Yankee Doodle Dandy

Friday, July 5, 11 a.m.–noon

Follow up your July 4th celebration with a fun dose of history. Learn about the American Revolution through a whimsical story set to the popular tune of Yankee Doodle, where mice, rabbits and other woodland creatures bring to life the era’s important events. For ages 3–5 with accompanying adult; $4/child or $10 for 3 LH programs. Preregistration is required.

Mill Stories in Motion

Friday, August 2, 11 a.m.–noon

What do you think a ride to the Old Mill felt like? Was it fast or slow? Long or short? Bumpy or smooth? Make history come to life in this full-bodied transportation exploration. For ages 3–5 with accompanying adult; $4/child or $10 for 3 LH programs. Preregistration is required.

Journey Cake, Ho!

Friday, September 6, 11 a.m.–noon

Journey, or johnny, cakes are a popular breakfast treat all over North Carolina. Join us for this charming (and delicious!) tale of a runaway Journey Cake that will have your little ones roll with laughter! For ages 3–5 with accompanying adult; $4/child or $10 for 3 LH programs. Preregistration is required.

Be sure to check out the Nature Watchers (ages 3–5) and Nature Friends (ages 6–9) Program Series that are being offered at Crowder District Park.

Homeschool Days

Fantastic Foodies! Adventures at the Family Table

Monday, July 1, 10 a.m.–noon

From the Carolinas to the Ivory Coast, families all over the world come together around the dinner table. Pull up a chair at Yates Mill and explore food traditions from around the globe. Make a self-portrait inspired by famous Renaissance food artist Giuseppe Archimboldo before taking a fantastic foodie mill tour! For ages 8–14; $8/child, including mill tour. Preregistration is required.

Geology Rocks!

Monday, August 19, 10 a.m.–noon

Sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks are everywhere! Come explore the rocks of Yates Mill through hands-on science. Test the physical and chemical components to discover the identity of rocks. Play the rock cycle game then take a hike to the mill dam to discover its geologic foundation. For ages 8–12; $6/child. Preregistration is required.

Invent it! Inventors and the Patent System

Monday, September 16, 10 a.m.–noon

All great inventions start out as merely ideas, and some even happen by accident. Hear inventions stories, learn about the U.S. Patent System and do some inventing of your own. Be sure to bring your creativity and wear your thinking caps. For ages 8–14, $6/person, including mill tour. Preregistration is required.

Track Out Days for Kids

Join us for one, two or all three days. Children in Grades K–5 will participate in curriculum-correlated activities, both together and by grade level. This program is great for year-round students on Track 2 and for homeschool students who want to learn science in a hands-on setting. Preregistration is required.

Track out days will resume in September – please check out our summer camp offerings as an alternative for the months of June–August.

Wild Frontier @Crowder District Park

Tuesday–Thursday, September 24–26, 1–4 p.m.

Learn how to build a fire, churn butter, and make music with your own rubberband banjo. This program is great for year-round students on Track 1. For students in grades K–5, $12/day or $30 for all 3 Track Out Days, including mill tour. Preregistration is required.

Summer Camps

To check for space availability, contact Historic Yates Mill County Park by phone at 919-856-6675 or by email. To register, you will need to include a completed registration form and payment by mail or in person.

Yates Mill’s camps offer your child hands-on history and nature activities including tours of the old mill, visits with live animals, hikes, crafts, games and more. Each day offers a different theme. There will be two adult staff members with the kids at all times. Kids bring their own lunch. Preregistration is required. Camp size is limited, so sign up early!

Art in Nature

June 17, 18, 19, 20 & 21, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Ages 9–12 Fee: $158/child (Track 1, traditional and homeschool)
Explore nature through art during this hands-on camp. The beautiful millpond provides the perfect setting for creative kids to explore the beauty in nature and participate in a variety of artistic field explorations.

Aquatic Ecologist – Organized and offered by the NC Museum of Natural Sciences
July 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12 – http://naturalsciences.org/programs-events/summer-camps

Young Farmers – 2 Days at Historic Oak View County Park and 2 Days at Historic Yates Mill County Park
July 22, 23, 24 & 25, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Ages 7–9 Fee: $126/child (Track 4, traditional and homeschool)
Experience the wonders of agriculture and learn about different aspects of the farm, from animals to vegetables to bugs in the soil. Explore food production and the connections between farms and the natural environment. Participate in fun games, songs and crafts, and spend time enjoying the outdoors.

Ready, Set, Get Wet! – Organized and offered by the NC Museum of Natural Sciences
July 15, 16, 17, 18 & 19 – http://naturalsciences.org/programs-events/summer-camps

Aquatic Ecologists – Organized and offered by the NC Museum of Natural Sciences
July 22, 23, 24, 25 & 26 – http://naturalsciences.org/programs-events/summer-camps

Time Detectives
August 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Ages 8–10 Fee: $154/child (Track 3, traditional and homeschool)
Attention, Gumshoes: There's been a burglary at Yates Mill, and we need your help. Collect clues, solve puzzles and bring the thieves to justice!! Using science, art, archaeology and interviews with historical people, we'll learn how real historians solve history mysteries every day.

Adult Workshops

Natural Explorations: Yates Mill Pond's Watershed

Friday, August 16, 8:30–10 a.m.

Rain comes down, and water flows into the mill pond from areas upstream. Explore the diverse natural lands and wildlife habitats that surround Yates Mill Pond and discover where the water goes when it heads over the mill dam and further downstream. Test the pond's water quality and look for animal signs with a park naturalist. For ages 14 & up; $5/person. Preregistration is required.

Classification Type: Reference Information

Department/Division: Information Technology Services

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Sean L. Fiene — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 15:44:06 GMT

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ABOUT THE PARK

A day at Historic Yates Mill County Park offers visitors an “Escape from the Daily Grind,” with experiences that interpret and preserve our agricultural heritage, environmental resources and history through educational programs, events and exhibits. The park is a 174-acre wildlife refuge and an environmental research center. Please note that dogs (except identifiable service animals) and other pets are not allowed. Learn more.

LOCATION:

4620 Lake Wheeler Road
Raleigh, NC 27603

View directions & hours.

Phone: 919-856-6675
Fax: 919-856-6674

FEATURES

	Hiking		Agricultural History
	Picnic		Cultural History
	Fishing (limited)		Educational Exhibits
	Environmental Education		Educational Gardens

PARK NEWS

NOW HIRING!

The park is now accepting applications for two Park Aides for Visitor Services and Program Assistance positions, each of which will work 16–20 hours per week. Check out the detailed job description. A completed Wake County job application is required to be considered for these positions.

PARK ANNIVERSARY

The park just celebrated its 7th anniversary, having opened to the public in May 2006, after it took about 20 years to restore the historic mill and 10 years to develop the park, including the repairs that were needed after Hurricane Fran struck in September 1996. Last year, the park hosted over 100,000 visitors – thanks to all of you who are part of our park community!

MILL TOURS
The historic mill is open for guided tours through the end of November. For a full listing of upcoming tours, check out our Mill Tours page.

PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE PARK
If you're planning to come out for some family photography, please be courteous to other park visitors. Keep trails and boardwalks clear and observe all posted safety rules. Since the park is a wildlife refuge, all pets (except identifiable service animals) are not allowed. Thank you and have fun! View the photo policy.

Classification Type: Reference Information

Department/Division: Information Technology Services