2009

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

April

Tuesday, April 14
Graue Mill Opens for the 2009 Season
We celebrate three special anniversaries this year through our programs and exhibits. The 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth, the 100th anniversary of Burnham's Plan for Chicago, and the 75th anniversary of the CCC, the group that began the restoration of Graue Mill in the 1930's.

Sunday, April 19
Earth Day Celebration
Help us celebrate the Earth. Free admission for all. Meet Squirmin' Herman, a real earthworm, and his friends from the University of Illinois Extension. Members of the Garden Study Club of Hinsdale will be at the Mill with all the materials you will need to make a terrarium to take home. The Mill is open from 10am to 4:30pm. Other activities from 12:30 to 3 pm

Sunday, April 26, 1 to 4 pm
YES Family Fun Fest at the Community House in Hinsdale

Come and learn about all the programs and benefits offered by your local non-profit organizations. Performances by local children's groups, games and children's activities.

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May

Sunday, May 3, 1 pm
My Years with the CCC – Don Hocking and Bob Good
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Civilian Conservation Corps one of the programs instituted under President Franklin D. Roosevelt to help the nation recover from the Depression. The President received 15 million letters from Americans asking for assistance, but they wanted to work in exchange for help. The CCC worked for both the needy and the environment by sending armies of unemployed young men into forests and parks across the country. In the program's nine years, over 500,000 enlistees developed 52,000 acres of public campgrounds, laid 89,000 miles of telephone lines and planted more than 2 billion trees. By the time the program ended in 1942 there were 800 new state parks. Not only did state parks benefit, so did the national forests and parks.

Dan Hocking, now 93 years old, will talk about his experiences as a young man with the CCC on Isle Royale, felling trees and building corrals for moose. He also remembers the work done by friends at Waterfall Glen and Fullersburg Forest Preserves. Bob Good will have an accompanying PowerPoint presentation that shows photographs of the building of Fullersburg and the restoration of Graue Mill, the dam and the millrace.

Sunday, May 17, noon to 3
Spin In and Volunteer Open House  – Graue Mill Spinners and Weavers
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

Sunday, June 7, 10am to 5 pm
8th Annual Fine Arts Festival
The lawn of the Mill is a perfect backdrop for the more than forty 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 21
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.

Saturday, June 27, 8 am to 4 pm
Antiques and Vintage Fair “A Day in the Country"
Don’t miss our Antiques and Vintage Fair in Burlington Park in downtown Hinsdale – Rain or Shine.  We've made a few changes this year to make ther show more fun for the entire family.   Enjoy a day outdoors while you browse a wonderful assortment of quality antiques, furniture, silver, textiles, architectural and garden items and a selection of annuals and perennials to enhance your summer garden. Top of this page


July

Saturday & Sunday, July 11 and 12, 10am to 4 pm
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.

Sunday, July 26, 10 am to 4pm
Scavenger Hunt at the Mill
Visit the Mill and get your treasure map. If you find every one of the Mill's "treasures", you win a prize.

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August

Sunday, August 9, 1 to 4 pm
West Suburban Lapidary Club
Stone cutting and polishing demonstrations.

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September

Saturday & Sunday, September 5 and 6, 10:30 am to 4 pm
Civil War Encampment: 10th Illinois Regiment
The Civil War Encampment is a favorite annual activity at Graue Mill and 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 13, 11:30 to 4 pm
Graue Mill’s 7th Annual Cornfest
Food and Fun at the Mill
Celebrate the beginning of fall with an old-fashioned family picnic!  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.  A German band will provide some fun entertainment for adults.   The giant woodpile will also 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.

Sunday, September 20, 1:30 PM
What Would Lincoln Eat - Penelope Bingham
Learn about the foods and recipes served during the Civil War era.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.

Friday and Saturday Evening, September 25 and 26
Journey on the Underground Railroad – Glennette Tilley Turner
Children and adults can vicariously 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. Call (630)655-2090 for admission rates for this event.

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October

October 2 through October 24
Juried Photography Exhibition
Winning and Selected Photographs on Display
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10am to 3pm
Saturday 10am to 2pm, Sunday Noon to 3pm
We are proud to present our fourth 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 11, noon to 3:00 PM
"Make 'n Take" a Corn Husk Doll
Kids of all ages can make a traditional corn husk doll and learn about Native American Harvest Traditions.

Sunday, October 25, 1:30 pm
Spine Tingling Stories – Joyce Lankton
Get into the Halloween mood with these fun and ghostly tales.

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November

Girl Scout Family Day Sunday, November 1, Performances at 1 and 2:30 pm
Lincoln Tales Tall and True – Brian Ellis
Hear Lincoln's boyhood friend tell about how he saved Abe's 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.

Sunday, November 15
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 20, 21 and 22
“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 $8.00. Wine, cheese and light refreshments will be served.

Saturday and Sunday sale hours are 10am to 4pm. Admission is free.

Joining us this year will be Alan Rocca Fine Jewelry, mb financial bank, Romanelli and Associates and SavWay Fine wines & Spirits. Don't miss the Luminaria Walk on Friday evening and Santa Sleigh on Saturday from noon to 4pm.

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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 12, 2009