2011

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

April

Tuesday, April 12
Graue Mill Opens for the Season

Sunday, April 17
Mother Earth's Helpers
The Garden Study Club of Hinsdale will help you to recycle a plastic soda bottle and make a miniature garden. Master Gardeners from University of Illinois Extension show how earthworms keep the soil in your garden healthy. Free admission to the museum from 10am to 4:30pm. Other activities from 12:30 to 3 pm.

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May

Sunday, May 1, noon to 3pm
Vintage Lace
Donna Fousek demonstrates how bobbin lace is made. Her collection of lace will be on display.

Sunday, May15, noon to 3pm
Volunteer Information Day and Spin In
Talk with our volunteers about the old-time crafts of spinning and weaving. Try your hand at the drop spindle and find out the benefits of joining our team of dedicated volunteers.

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June

Saturday and Sunday, June4 and 5, 10am to 5 pm
10th Annual Fine Arts Festival
The lawn of the Mill is a perfect backdrop for the more than fifty of the area's most talented artists who will exhibit and sell of a variety of art for the home and garden. The Festival features paintings, ceramics, hand woven textiles, mosaics, pastels, stained glass, jewelry and wildlife and nature photography. Admission to the Fine Arts Festival is free. Refreshments will be available during show hours.

Sunday, June 19
Windy City Harmonica Club - Performance at 1 pm
Always a favorite at the Mill the Windy City Harmonica Club will be on hand to help you celebrate Fathers Day with a program of songs from the 30's, 40's, 50's and 60's -- everything from the polka to the blues. Bring along a blanket or chair and enjoy a concert on the lawn under the oaks.

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July

Sunday, July 3 -- Max Daniels -- Performance at 1 pm
1850's 4th of July
Bring a picnic lunch and spend the day at the Mill. At 1pm we'll ring our "liberty bell" and President Lincoln will address the crowd.

Saturday and Sunday, July 16 and 17, 10am to 4pm
From Grain to Grist
Learn the duties of a miller's apprentice by helping with many of the steps necessary to produce stone-ground cornmeal -- from shucking to shelling to grinding to weighing to bagging.

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August

Sunday, August 7, 1 to 3 pm
Go Buggy
Master Gardeners will introduce you to the king of the insect world, the Monarch butterfly.

Sunday,August 21, noon to 3pm
"Make 'n Take" a Corn Husk Doll
Find out why these Native american dolls never had a face.

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September

Saturday & Sunday, September 3 and 4, 10:30 am to 4 pm
Civil War Encampment: 10th Illinois Regiment
The Civil War Encampment, a favorite annual activity at Graue Mill, is a celebration of our country’s rich history.  Members of the 10th Illinois Regiment, along with their families, will depict what life was like in a Union military camp in 1863.  Complete with authentic clothing, weapons and tools, this event will truly take you back in time.  There is excitement for all ages, including black powder firing demonstrations and drills, cooking and crafts. The members of the regiment are excellent performers who pay attention to accuracy and who are extremely dedicated to creating a unique and unforgettable experience.

Sunday, September 11, 11:30 to 4 pm
Graue Mill’s 10th Annual Cornfest
This popular event has food, fun and excitement for everyone.  Lots of food will be provided by Uncle Bub’s BBQ, along with roasted corn on the cob, delicious 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.

This event is generously underwritten by Uncle Bub's Barbecue and Fuller's Service Center.

Friday and Saturday Evening, September 30 and October 1
Journey on the Underground Railroad
Children and adults can experience what it was like to be a "passenger" on the Underground Railroad. Beginning with a skit in which passengers will meet the legendary Harriet Tubman, the journey will be led along Salt Creek by Hinsdale blacksmith John Coe. The Underground Railroad actually operated in Hinsdale, Oak Brook, Lyons, Downers Grove, and other nearby towns. Be a passenger. Experience the sights and sounds of making your escape on the Underground Railroad.

"Journeys" begin at 6:30 and 7:30pm. $12.50 for adults, $9.00 for children. Each Journey is limited to 25 travelers. Reservations close on Sept. 23. Call (630) 920-9720 for more information or to register.

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October

Sunday, October 2, Program begins at 1 pm
Cemetery Walk, Faith Fellowship Church
Gregory Vogel explains how gravestones may be used in the study of genealogy and local history. 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.

October 8 through October 30
Juried Photography Exhibition
Winning and Selected Photographs on Display
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10am to 3pm
Saturday 10am to 2pm, Sunday 1 to 3pm
We are proud to present our sixth Juried Photography Exhibition, The Eye of the Stone, with divisions for both Adult and Youth and awards for each category.  The winning and other selected photographs will be on display in the Frederick Graue House during the month of October.

Sunday, October 23, Programs begins at 1:30 and 2:30pm
It's Your Story Tell It
Annual Girl Scout Day at Graue Mill - Become a part of the Girl Scout’s 100th  Anniversary celebration.  Joyce Lankton will tell the story of “Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt” and you’ll receive instructions to make a simple quilt.  Your whole troop can contribute and your quilt should tell the story of a century of Girl Scouting.  Girl Scouts register with the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicagoland and Northern Indiana.

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November

Sunday, November 13
Graue Mill Closes for the Season
If you miss your last chance to stop by and pick up your winter supply of corn meal, we will be selling corn meal all winter.  Call (630) 920-9720 to arrange for pick-up.

Friday, Saturday & Sunday, November 18, 19 and 20
“Christmas At The Mill” Fine Artisan Boutique
The Mill and the Graue House will be open for a special holiday shopping event to get you in the Christmas spirit!  A group of talented local artisans 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.  Strolling carolers and decorated Christmas trees add to the fun. Santa will be around on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Friday Benefit Night from 6 to 9pm Tickets are $10.00. Wine, cheese and light refreshments will be served.

Saturday and Sunday sale hours are 10am to 4pm. 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 $3.50 for adults, $3.00 for seniors, $1.50 for children 4-12, Children 3 & under free. Call (630) 655-2090 or (630) 920-9720 for more information.


This page was last revised on: February 15, 2011