Run of the Mill: Visit Our Great Industrial Past

Boott Mill, Lowell Mass.

Windham Textile & History Museum

Museum presents new program:

MILL of the Month Program

Are you intrigued and interested in the rich and prodigious industrial history of Eastern Connecticut? Here is your opportunity to get your monthly dose of mill sites and villages.

The Windham Textile & History Museum will be presenting a program and walking tour of a different mill site every month on the fourth Saturday. Eleven programs are planned for 2013 and are listed in a Tour Passport booklet. The Kick off Program will be Saturday February 23 at 4 p.m.David Haines, president of SPOOM, Society for the Preservation of Old Mills, will speak on “Run of the Mill: An Introduction to Types and Styles of Mills.” The program will meet at the Windham Textile Museum, 411 Main Street, Willimantic.

Future tours include study of small buildings and magnificent structures, water and steam powered factories, textiles and other products, mill reuse and preservation issues and much more. And of course there will be fascinating stories of both famous and ordinary people who lived and worked through the decades of our great industrial past.

Fieldtrips are held on the last Saturday of the month at 10 a.m. OR 4 p.m. Please pay attention to time changes. Registration suggested by calling 860-456-2178. Each program lasts approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. A passport will be issued to participants for $5 Each fieldtrip is $8. Attend 8 trips (get 8 stamps in your passport) and your admission to Lowell National Historic Park is free. ( does not include transportation. Programs held rain or shine. Please dress accordingly.

For more information contact Bev York, museum education, at 860-456-2178

Or visit the Mill Museum Website: http://www.millmuseum.org/

Sat. Feb. 23 - 4 p.m. David Haines, Introduction to Mills

at the Milll Museum

Sat. March 23 - 10 a.m. Silk mills of Willimantic

(program and walk)

Sat. April 27 -10 a.m. Willimantic (Linen Company) Mill,

Willimantic

Sat. May 25 - 4 p.m. Stafford Springs with Jamie Furness

Sat. June 22 - 4 p.m. Hall Mill, South Willington

Sat. July 27 - 4 p.m. Merrow and Eagleville, Mansfield

Sat. Aug. 24 - 4 p.m. Gurleyville Gristmill,

Joshua’s Trust, Mansfield

Sat. Sept. 28 - 10 a.m. Taftville, Norwich,

Historian Dale Plummer

Sat. Oct. 26  - 10 a.m. Smith & Winchester, South Windham

Sat. Nov. 23 - 10 a.m. Kirby Mill, Mansfield Hollow

interior tour with Sam Shrifrin

Sat. Dec. 28 - 10 a.m. leave Willimantic at 9.a.m. Boott Mill

Lowell National Historic Park, Mass.

The Windham Garden Club is hosting a bus trip to The NY Botenical Garden in May.

For details visit: A Great Day in May