Hanford Mills Museum in East Meredith features guided tours of its historic water-powered sawmill, gristmill and woodworking shop Wednesdays-Sundays, 10 am - 5 pm. Visitors can see the 1926 Fitz overshot waterwheel start up and power the saw and historic woodworking machines. In addition, each week the Museum features a theme for its tour. Given the Mill's rich history, there are many connections to be made and stories to be told, from science and technology, agriculture and architecture to grist milling, woodworking, domestic arts and the people of East Meredith. For more information, please visit Hanfordmills.org. Kids 12 and under receive free admission.
- July 30 to August 3 — Modern Alternative Energy
Hanford Mills Museum provides great examples of historic power generation and takes advantage of a major renewable resource: water. This week we’ll highlight the connections between our historic power sources and modern alternative energy options, including solar, water, and wind.
- August 6 to August 10 — Technology
Join us as we celebrate the wide variety of technology that has been used in the Mill’s history. From woodworking and milling equipment to power generation machinery, the Mill’s owners and workers used different types of technology, and even took advantage of local inventions and innovations.
- August 13 – August 17 — Agriculture
Many of the mill’s owners and workers were also farmers, and the mill’s success was closely connected to the East Meredith farming community. See historic farm equipment, watch staff produce farm-related products in the Mill, and learn more about local agriculture.
- August 20 – August 24 — Architecture
The Mill produced a variety of products related to buildings and architecture. See examples of different architectural styles and construction processes at the mill site and in East Meredith, and learn about the construction materials and decorative products that the Mill has produced.
- August 27 – September 1 — Millworkers
In honor of Labor Day, the Museum is celebrating the people who worked at the Mill during its history as a business. Mill tours this week will feature the millworkers and the jobs that they did at the Mill.
- September 3 – September 7 — Engines
Come and see all of the engines that power equipment at the Mill. On September 6, the Museum will host a variety of antique engines and machines at our annual Dan Rion Memorial Antique Engine Jamboree and Powerfest.
- September 10 – September 14 — East Meredith Businesses
What other businesses existed in East Meredith while Hanford Mills was in operation? Learn about some of the other local business owners, their occupations, and the roles that they played in the East Meredith.
- September 17 – September 21 — Domestic Arts
This week we’re highlighting the John Hanford House and some of the domestic skills that were important in the East Meredith community.
- September 24 – September 28 — Gristmilling and Harvests
This week we’ll be focusing on fall harvests and how they have been used at the Mill. We will be running our stone gristmill daily and offering hands-on activities related to processing corn.
- October 1 – October 5 — Woodworking
Join us for a week of celebrating woodworking processes and products, including demonstrations using our historic woodworking equipment. And join us on October 4 for our Woodsmen’s Festival, featuring lumberjacking and woodworking demonstrations.
- October 6 – October 13 & October 15 — Fall at the Mill
The Mill business was seasonal, especially before steam and gasoline power was added to the Mill. Enjoy the fall scenery and learn about the work that was done at the Mill, and how the Museum operates and then closes the Mill equipment for the season.
