Tucked away in Glen Mills, Newlin Grist Mill is one of the oldest operating mills in North America, where the past continues to turn quite literally. The mill has operated for 300 of the last 325 years, rich in history and still water-powered. It’s a landmark where history, nature, and community come together across 160 acres of preserved land.
From its founding in 1704 to its commercial operation through 1941, Newlin Grist Mill served the local community and played a vital role in the international flour trade. It exported flour to destinations as far as the Caribbean, Canada, the Southern colonies, and even the northern Mediterranean. “We focus on the story of the mill from 1740–1765, which is a time critical to the growth of American trade but often overlooked as primitive technology,” explains Tony Shahan, the Executive Director of Newlin Grist Mill.
In 1956, the mill was purchased by a ninth-generation Newlin descendant and reopened in 1960 as a museum. Since then, it has evolved into an educational and environmental destination that welcomes over 60,000 visitors annually. Newlin Mill has a dual mission of historic preservation and environmental conservation that guides the management of important cultural and natural resources, including 12 historic structures, countless building ruins and archaeological features, 8.5 miles of trails, and 160 acres of outdoor museum and open space.
Visitors can walk through woodlands, meadows, wetlands, and creeks while encountering structures and artifacts that reveal layers of American history. Outdoor classrooms such as the Frog Pond, Forest, Creek, Meadow, and new Wetland areas are the stages for nature-based education programs for children and adults. They can be experienced within Summer Discovery Camp, school partnerships, and community service projects that allow visitors of all ages to participate in habitat restoration and invasive species management.
“Our immersion experience opportunities invite the public into the process of historic preservation and environmental conservation,” says Shahan. In 2024, approximately 550 individuals and 36 volunteer groups contributed over 6,600 hours to programming, events, maintenance, and operations, including mill tours, public lectures, picnic areas, historic dinners, special events, formal photography, and the annual trail run.
Here is a list of events not to miss that are coming up in July and the rest of the year:
- Millwright Shop Water Wheel Rebuild – Fridays & Saturdays, 10am–3pm
- Blacksmith Shop Demos – Saturdays, 10am–3pm
- Public Archaeology Days – July 19 & October 18
- Kitchen Encounters (Trimble Kitchen) – September 6, October 18, November 15
- Bird Walks – July 26, August 30, September 27, October 25, November 29, December 20
- Happy Hours with Deer Creek Malthouse – Thursdays in September & October, 5–8pm
These experiences are central to Newlin’s programming, which features hands-on experimental archaeology projects like the Millwright Shop, where staff and volunteers are rebuilding a 15.5-foot water wheel using 18th-century tools and techniques. Historic foodways are demonstrated in Trimble Kitchen, a restored 1739 hearth and pantry. During Public Archaeology Days, guests can work alongside professionals and avocational archaeologists to explore and document the site’s buried past. In addition to the historical attractions, Newlin offers guided bird walks, which take visitors through diverse habitats to observe native and migrating bird species.
The spirit of shared stewardship is celebrated regularly through events that bring people together, such as Happy Hours with Deer Creek Malthouse, complete with live music by JP McGrath and food from Il Brothers Pizza, who donate 10% of orders to support the Mill.
“The two things visitors comment on most are the beauty of the landscape, including the well-maintained diverse habitats and trail systems, and the passion and expertise of the staff and volunteers on the site,” Shahan proudly notes.
Looking ahead, Newlin Grist Mill will play a key role in the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026 with the reassembly of the Newlin Log House – a project born from a successful preservation effort in 2021. As Newlin Grist Mill continues to evolve, it remains welcoming to all. It beckons us to rediscover nature, community, and the steadfast grains of the past that shaped them.
newlingristmill.org