HISTORY
History Colvin Run Mill Historic Site 10017 Colvin Run Road, Great Falls (Off Route 7, west of Tysons Corner) 703-759-2771 www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/crm Colvin Run Mill Historic Site, featuring Fairfax County’s award-winning operational 19th century water-powered gristmill, offers recreational and educational activities for all ages through daily tours, school programs and special events. To receive a quarterly events calendar please call 703-759-2771. Open: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., daily except Tuesday. Tours are offered on the hour, last tour at 3 p.m. Tour ticket costs through 3/31: $6/adult, $5/student 16+ with ID, $4/child and senior. Park entry is free except for some special events.
Colvin Run General Store Shop in the unhurried atmosphere of this restored c.1900 country mercantile where you can find a wide variety of unique merchandise including yellow and white cornmeal, yellow and white grits, and whole wheat flour ground at the mill. Open: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., daily except Tuesdays.
How to Register All fee programs at Colvin Run Mill require advance registration and payment. Please call the park at 703-759-2771 for information and to register. Meet for all programs at the General Store unless otherwise noted. For cancellations received 14 or more days prior to the start date, a full refund is given. For cancellations received 13 or fewer days prior to the start date, a processing fee is applied.
Scout Programs at Colvin Run Mill See Scouts for badge and program offerings.
Grinding demonstrations resume April 10. Call ahead to see if weather and conditions permit. First and third Sundays – Noon-3 p.m. Tour cost applies. For NEW Series classes at COLVIN RUN MILL, check Parktakes Online, www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes/. Listings are updated daily.
Recurring Programs at Colvin Run Mill March 20, April 17, May 15 Sundays Mill Run Dulcimer Band Concert No reservations required. 2-4pm Free Take a relaxing musical journey to the past and welcome the band back for the spring concert series featuring your old-time favorite tunes. Donations accepted.
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The miller at Colvin Run Mill demonstrates timeless techniques for grinding corn into cornmeal. Celebrate the mill’s 200th anniversary on April 10.
April 2 Saturday Tea & Chocolate Tasting at the Mill Call park for reservations. 1-3pm $25 Learn about the main growing regions and botanical aspects of the tea plant and cacao tree and how they were introduced to America. Then taste diverse teas and styles of chocolate including the types of teas first enjoyed by early Americans. Presented by Certified Tea Specialist and Chef Laurie Bell of Great Falls Tea Garden. Pre-paid reservations required by 3/19.
10 Sunday Colvin Run Mill’s Bicentennial Gala No reservations required. Noon–3pm Free (All ages) Celebrate 200 years of Fairfax County history down by the old mill stream where water has powered the millstones since 1811. Watch the miller demonstrate timeless techniques grinding the year’s first batch of cornmeal. Tour the miller’s house, enjoy 19th century music, children’s activities and a blacksmith demonstration. During a short ceremony at 1 p.m., local dignitaries and historians will highlight the importance of the mill’s past, present and future in Fairfax County.
20 Wednesday Call to Arms! Code: 266 289 9301 9am-1pm $30 (8-12 yrs) Boys age 8 to 12 - don’t know your rank from your file? Your hayfoot from your strawfoot? At Colvin Run Mill you will learn and practice basic
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drills and orders from the armies of the Civil War. Other activities include making hardtack, 19th century chores and games. Bring snack and lunch. Pre-paid registration required by April 6.
21 Thursday Yesterday’s Ways Code: 266 289 9401 9am-1:00pm $30 (8-12 yrs) Girls age 8 to 12 will master 19th century survival skills from making butter, to sewing and baking. It’s not all work and no play other activities include toy making, scrapbooking and games. Bring snack and lunch. Pre-paid registration required by April 7.
May 22 Sunday Set Sail at the Mill Call park for reservations. 1-2pm $10 per boat (5 and older) Kids assemble and decorate a wooden sailboat, then test its seaworthiness on our minilake. Please bring an old shirt to protect clothes from paint. $10 per boat. Pre-paid registration required by May 8.
May 2, 9, 16, 23 Monday Mornings in May (3-5 yrs) Preschoolers and adults enjoy a new story each week, explore the historic site, make a craft, do finger plays and sing songs. Pre-paid registration required. Code: 266 287 6001 10:30-11:30am 5/2 $5 Code: 266 287 6002 10:30-11:30am 5/9 $5 Code: 266 287 6003 10:30-11:30am 5/16 $5 Code: 266 287 6004 10:30-11:30am 5/23 $5
Spring 2011