2013

April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November

April
EVENT CANCELLED DUE T0 FLOODING: Sunday, April 21
Earth Day -- Free Admission Day. Join the Garden Study Club of Hinsdale to make a "Grass-A-Pillar," a grassy caterpillar from rye seed. Free admission to the museum from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Activities from 12:30 to 3 p.m.

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May

Sunday, May 5, drop-in 1 to 3 p.m.
Make 'N Take a Woven Potholder. Use a simple square loom to transform colorful fabric loops into a beautiful, long-lasting potholder. Weaving potholders is easy, even if you have never tried it. You'll leave with a beautiful potholder and will have learned the basic principles of weaving. $2/project.

Sunday, May 19, 1 to 4 p.m.
Sheep Shearing and Spin-In. Master sheepshearer Harold Davis will be here with a few of his flock in need of haircuts. Hourly sheep shearing demonstrations at 1, 2, and 3 p.m. Graue Mill volunteers will also be on hand to demonstrate the art of spinning raw fleece into woolen yarn. Try your hand at spinning on a drop spindle, one of the earliest tools still in use in many cultures. You'll even learn how to become a volunteer at Graue Mill yourself. No fee to view the shearing, regular museum admission fees apply.

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June

Saturday and Sunday, June 1 and 2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Annual Fine Arts Festival. The lawn of the Mill is a perfect backdrop for more than fifty of the area's most talented artists who wille xhibit and sell a variety of art for the home and garden. The Festival features paintings, ceramics, hand-woven textiles, mosaics, pastels, stained glass, jewelry and photography. Admission to the Fine Arts Festival is free.

Sunday, June 16, 1 p.m.
Battlefield Balladeers. Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy an outdoor concert of music from the Civil War era. The Battlefield Balladeers perform patriotic, sentimental, and comic songs of the period using unamplified acoustic instruments performed by musicians in period uniforms, bringins to life the sounds of the Blue and Gray for all ages.

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July

Sunday, May 5, drop-in 1 to 3 p.m.
Make 'N Take Tin Punching. Long ago, skilled craftsmen created works of art by punching holes into decorative patterns on tin. Stop by to learn the simple technique and make your piece of punched tin to take home.

Sunday, July 28, 2 p.m.
Belle of Amherst. Master storyteller and artist Paddy Lynn shares the story of one of America's most prolific poets, Emily Dickinson, in this delightful outdoor first-person program. Bring a blanket or chair and experience some of Dickinson's masterful poetry as you learn about her life. This program is made possible in part by an award from the Illinois Humanities Council, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Illinois General Assembly.

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August

Sunday, August 18, 2 p.m.
Dulcimer and Folk Music. Masterful musicians from the South Suburban Dulcimer and Folk Music perform songs on traditional instruments.

Saturday and Sunday, August 31 and Sept. 1, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Civil War Encampment . Don't miss this favorite annual tradition when members of the 10th Illinois Regiment and their families spend the weekend on the Mill grounds, depicting what life was like in a Union military camp. Complete with authentic clothing, weapons and tools, this event will take you back in time to the 1860s. Experience black powder firing demonstrations and drills, cooking, toys, and crafts. The members of this regiment are excellent presenters who pay attention to historical accuracy and are extremely dedicated to creating a unique and unforgettable experience.

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September

Sunday, Sept. 8, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cornfest Family Fun Day. Our popular family picnic returns! Enjoy delicious barbeque, along with roasted corn on the cob, homemade pies, and sweet taffy apples. There will be plenty of entertainment, including games, races, and a fishing tournament for kids. The giant woodpile will be back, so kids can use hammers, nails, and paint to create whatever they want. There is no general admission fee, and tickets will be available for all food, drinks, and activities.

Saturday, Sept. 21, 11 a.m.
Make 'N Take a Door Arrangement. Craft a beautiful twig and berry arrangement for your front door.

Friday and Saturday evenings, Sept. 27 and 28
Journey on the Underground Railroad . Children and adults can experience what it was like to be a passenger on the Underground Railroad. This theatrical experience begins with a skit in which passengers will meet the legendary Harriet Tubman. Then, you will follow Hinsdale blacksmith John Coe on a journey down Salt Creek to Graue Mill. The Underground Railroad actually operated in Hinsdale, Oak Brook, Lyons, Downers Grove, and other nearby towns. Experience the sights and sounds of making your escape on the Underground Railroad.

"Journeys" begin at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Each lasts about an hour. Fee applies. Each Journey is limitedto 25 travelers. Bring a flashlight and dress for the weather because portions of the program take place outside. Call (630) 655-2090 for more information.

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October

Saturday, Oct. 12, programs at 1 and 2 p.m.
Annual Girl Scout Day at Graue Mill: Meet Laura Ingalls Wilder. Learn about pioneer life when Laura Ingalls Wilder (portrayed by actress Laura Keyes) stops by the Mill to share stories about her life. Register with the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicagoland and Northern Indiana.

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November

Sunday, November 10
Graue Mill closes for the season. If you miss your last chance to purchase cornmeal, don't worry. We sell cornmeal all winter. Call (630) 920-9720 to arrange for pick up.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Nov. 15, 16, and 17
Christmas at the Mill Holiday Boutique.
The Mill and the Graue House will be open for a special holiday shopping event to get you in the christmas spirit! Talented local artists will be selling handcrafted Christmas decorations, unique jewelry, stained glass, pottery, and handwoven and knitted items. Specially selected ornaments, other great decorative items, and stocking stuffers will be for sale in the Mill's gift shop. Decorated Christmas trees and strolling carolers add to the fun. Santa will stop by on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Friday is a ticketed Benefit Night from 6 to 9 p.m. Wine, cheese, and light refreshments will be served.

Saturday and Sunday sale hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.

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Schedule subject to change without notice.


Your Gateway to the Past, Graue Mill and Museum is a not-for-profit volunteer organization supported by admissions, memberships and contributions. The Mill, located on York Road just north of Ogden Avenue in Oak Brook, Illinois, is open 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM daily - closed Mondays, except Holiday Mondays. Admission is $4.50 for adults, $4 for seniors, $2 for children 4-12, free for children 3 & under. Call (630) 655-2090 or (630) 920-9720 for more information.


This page was last revised on: February 20, 2013