July-September 2017 Programs at
Historic Yates Mill County Park Please register for programs at Historic Yates Mill. Call the park office at (919) 856-6675, or go to our website at
www.wakegov.com/parks/yatesmill for registration or for more information on our programs.
Register ONLINE for programs: https://apm.activecommunities.com/wakeparks
Public Mill Tours
A variety of tour types are available. Funds raised
through tours go to the non-profit Yates Mill Associates
(www.yatesmill.org) and support the mill’s
maintenance and operations.
Saturdays at the Old Mill Tours Saturdays, July 1, 8, 22 & 29; August 5, 12 & 26;
and Sept. 2, 9, 23 & 30; Between 1:00–3:00 p.m.
Want to get inside Historic Yates Mill? Join us for
a half-hour tour to view the main power drive and
milling machinery while exploring the mill's history
and aspects of its preservation. For all ages; fee: $5/Adult,
$4/Senior (ages 60+), $3/Child (ages 7-16), Children ages
6 and younger are free. Preregistration is encouraged.
Tickets are available inside the park's visitor center.
\Mill Heritage and Local History Tours Sundays, July 2, 9, 23 & 30; August 6, 13 & 27;
and September 3, 10 & 24; 2:00–3:00 p.m.
Tuesday, July 4 (Independence Day); 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Monday, September 4 (Labor Day); 2:00–3:00 p.m.
Discover Historic Yates Mill - a place of business,
community, and exciting local history! Watch a brief
slideshow, then explore the inner workings of the mill itself
and witness the power of water as it turns the
milling machinery. Fee: $5/Adult, $4/Senior
(ages 60+), $3/Child (ages 7-16), Children ages
6 and younger are free. Preregistration is
encouraged. Tickets are available in the park's visitor center.
Kids’ History Detective Mill Tour Tuesday, August 22, 11:00 a.m. – Noon
Do you have what it takes to be a History Detective? Come
to Yates Mill and find out! Solve puzzles, hunt for clues and
investigate the mystery of milling with real historical artifacts
inside the only remaining water-powered gristmill in Wake
County. For all ages; fee: $5/Adult, $4/Senior (ages
60+) and $3/Child (ages 16 & under). Registration is
required. Bundle this tour with the Field School Day
program on “Hand Mills and Millstones” taking place from
10-11 a.m. for the ultimate program experience.
Organized groups may request weekday mill tours. These
tours can be bundled with a variety of educational programs.
For details, please go to our Group programs webpage.
Corn Milling Demonstrations
Yates Mill’s corn grinding operation is demonstrated
on the third weekend of each month, March-November,
and can be viewed by taking a half-hour tour
with a costumed guide.
Costumed Corn Grinding Tours Saturdays, July 15, August 19, and September 16*
10:00 a.m.– Noon and 1:00–4:00 p.m.
Sundays, July 16, August 20, and Sept. 17; 1:00–4:00 p.m.
Step back in time with our 19th century costumed
interpreters and watch the millstones at work grinding corn
into meal. Tour fee: $5/Adult, $4/Senior (ages 60 & over),
$3/Child (ages 7-16), Children ages 6 & under are free.
Preregistration is encouraged. Tours are not available
between Noon-1:00 p.m. and the last tour of the day begins
at 3:40 p.m. Tickets are available at the Mill. *This is the
day of our 12th Annual Fall Harvest Celebration.
Yates Mill merchandise is for sale during the corn grinding
weekends, while cornmeal & mill postcards are available
daily 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the park center.
Yates by Night:
FALL-ing for Nature
Friday, September 22, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Join us for an evening hike to enjoy the sights and sounds
of late summer. Learn tips for observing wildlife and find
out ways to identify the sounds made by birds, amphibians,
and insects as the sun goes down. Also explore fun facts
related to the autumnal equinox. For ages 7 and up (adult
accompaniment required for all children); fee: $1/Person.
Volunteer Interest Session
Saturday, August 19, 2:00–3:00 p.m.
Want to do more to help out your community park? Do you
like history, the environment, agriculture and/or the arts?
Consider volunteering at Yates Mill! Join us anytime during
the program time to gather information about the exciting
ways you can lend a hand. Registration is not required. Call
our volunteer coordinator at (919) 856-5378 for details.
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Quarter Year Programs at Historic Yates Mill County Park
Discovery Tables
These programs encourage families and friends of
all ages to enjoy a park experience together. FREE!
Preregistration is not required. Head to the
park center exhibit hall.
Teddy Bears’ Picnic Saturday-Monday, July 8-10, 8:30 a.m.– 5:00 p.m.
A "Teddy Bears' Picnic" is a song with a 1907 melody
by American composer John Walter Bratton and lyrics
by Irish songwriter Jimmy Kennedy in 1932. It remains
popular as a children's song today. Grab your own
picnic lunch and teddy bear from home, and head to the
park to "go down to the woods today". Come by the
Finley Center exhibit hall to explore the history of the
Teddy Bear and play some sweet bear games.
National Tell a Joke Day Wednesday, August 16, 8:30 a.m.– 5:00 p.m.
Let's get serious now. We are not kidding. August 16th
is National Tell a Joke Day. No doubt about it. It will
be a fun-filled day, with lots of
laughter. The more jokes you tell, the
more fun this day will be. To fully
participate and enjoy this day, come to
the Finley Center anytime during the
day to share some jokes with the park community.
Maybe you’ll even win the park’s “groaner” award!
We'll have a large board set up in the Exhibit Hall
where jokes can be shared.
History Mysteries Sundays, July 16, Aug. 20, & Sept. 17, 1:00–4:00 p.m.
In July and August, see a selection of artifacts loaned
from North Carolina’s Office of State Archaeology.
In September, learn about and see pictures of an
archaeological discovery and use your detective skills
to figure out what that discovery might mean. For
all ages. Stop by the Finley Center exhibit hall
anytime during the program time.
The Autumnal Equinox Friday-Sunday, Sept. 22-24, 8:30 a.m.– 5:00 p.m.
The Equinox signals the beginning of fall. It is the point
where there is exactly 12 hours of daylight and 12
hours of darkness at the equator. Mark the change of
seasons by heading to the park center to explore fun
facts about this special time of year. Discover how and
why the equinox occurs, and also learn about seasonal
folklore and related historical
traditions. For all ages.
Recreational Adventures
Paddle the Pond! Saturdays, July 22, August 26 & September 23
First Session: 9:00–10:00 a.m.
Second Session: 11:00 a.m.– Noon
Learn basic canoeing skills and a bit about the millpond's
history, then head out to explore the pond's many features as
seen only from the water. Canoes, paddles, and life jackets are
provided, along with launch assistance. This program is
dependent on suitable weather conditions. Registration is
required. For ages 5 and up (with an accompanying adult), fee:
$10/Boat. Each canoe can hold 1-4 people (800-pound total
weight limit). All participants must sign a program waiver.
Water Balloon Games Sunday, August 27, 3:00–4:00 p.m.
August tends to be the hottest month of the year, but there
are ways to stay cool and still be outdoors. Join us for some
water balloon popping fun in the open field above the park's
amphitheater. We will provide the equipment needed to play
some fun water games. To participate, please bring safe water-
filled balloons with you and we suggest a towel and a change of
clothes. Prepare to get wet! For all ages (adult accompaniment
required for all children); fee: FREE. Registration not required.
Participants will be asked to help clean up the balloon carnage.
Special Events
The Great American Eclipse Monday, August 21, 1:00–4:00 p.m.
On August 21, something is going to happen in the U.S. that has
not happened since 1918. On that date, a total solar eclipse will
be visible all the way from the east coast to the west coast. Day
will turn into night as the moon passes directly between the earth
and the sun, casting a shadow on the U.S. that will track from
Oregon to South Carolina. Join us to discover solar eclipse fun
facts, pick up a pair of eclipse viewing glasses (while supplies
last), and head out to the park's open field to view the eclipse
directly. For all ages; fee: FREE. Registration is not required.
12th Annual Fall Harvest Celebration Saturday, September 16, 10:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m.
This family-oriented event includes corn grinding demos and
costumed tours of Yates Mill, and other event activities including
a fun children’s scavenger hunt activity, live music and dance,
story-tellers, community displays, hand-craft demonstrations,
and sales, antique vehicles, farm tools, food vendors, and more!
For all ages; fee: FREE, although there is a $3-5 fee for the
guided mill tours. Registration is not required for the event.
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July-September 2017 Programs at
Historic Yates Mill County Park
Natural Explorations
These programs encourage families and friends to
enjoy a park experience together. FREE!
Registration is required.
A Summertime Stroll Saturday, July 1, 9:30–11:00 a.m.
Stroll along the shaded woodlands surrounding the mill
pond on a one-mile naturalist-led hike. Learn how shade
helps us to stay cool in the heat and use forest plants to get
your bearings. Search for summertime wildlife and explore
how they cope on warm days. For ages 5 and up (adult
accompaniment is required for all children).
Hot Weather Hiking Thursday, August 17, 9:30–11:00 a.m.
Summer means hiking in hot weather. With a bit of
planning, you can still hike safely. But you should pay
attention to conditions and take precautions to prevent
dehydration and heat-related illnesses. Explore the
ways you can plan ahead for the heat and care for
yourself while outdoors on hot days. Also explore how
wildlife deals with the heat. For all ages (adult
accompaniment required for all children).
Kids Go Outdoors Wednesday, September 27, 10:30 a.m.– Noon
Spend some quality time enjoying the great outdoors with
your family while getting some fresh air and exercise.
Develop your child’s interest in nature and listen to a
park naturalist as they share their knowledge of, and
experiences with, nature and wildlife. Learn to move like
different animals and sing nature songs. For all ages
(adult accompaniment required for all children).
A Side of History
Yankee Doodle Dandy Tuesday, July 4, 11:00 a.m.– Noon
Rev up your July 4th celebration with a fun dose of
history. Learn about the American Revolution through a
whimsical story set to the popular tune of Yankee Doodle,
where mice, rabbits, and other woodland creatures bring to
life the era’s important events. For all ages (adult
accompaniment required for all children); fee: FREE.
Registration is not required.
Lighting the Way
Monday, August 7; 2:30–4:00 p.m.
North Carolina is home to nine lighthouses including
Cape Hatteras, the tallest in the United States. Join us on
National Lighthouse Day to hear the true heroic tale of
Abbie Burgess, a young woman who was forced to run her
family's lighthouse alone in the winter of 1856. Play a
lighthouse game and make your own model lighthouse to
take home. For ages 5 & up (adult accompaniment required
for all children); fee: $6/Person. Registration is required.
Harvest-time for the Ingalls Saturday, September 30, 3:00–4:30 p.m.
The harvest season was a busy time for Laura Ingalls
Wilder's pioneer family. Put on your straw hat or sun
bonnet and head to the park to try out the types of farm
chores the family had to tackle and what they did to get
ready for winter. Explore how the family tended to their
farm animals, collected and stored fall fruits, and
prepared for the county fair! For ages 5 & up (adult
accompaniment required for all children); fee:
$6/Person. Registration required.
Gingerbread for Liberty! Friday, July 7, 11:00 a.m.– Noon
In honor of National Gingersnap Day (which
is celebrated on July 1), come to the park to
hear Mara Rockliff's story of Christopher
Ludwick, a German immigrant & gingerbread
baker who became the Superintendent of
Bakers for the American Army during the
Revolutionary War. Then pick up
historic and modern gingerbread
recipes and make a gingerbread-
related craft to take home!
Park Tales
Registration is not required. For all ages; fee: FREE! Adult accompaniment is required for all children.
The Story of the First Corn Friday, August 18, 11:00 a.m.– Noon The history of corn, or “maize”, begins at
the dawn of human agriculture, about
10,000 years ago. Ancient farmers noticed
that some wild corn plants were larger
than others, tasted better, or were easier to
grind. They saved kernels from these
plants and planted them for the next
season's harvest. Many Native American
tales address the origins of corn. Hear a
few tales, be a-maize-d by fun corn facts,
then make a corny craft to take home.
Night Animals Friday, Sept. 29, 11:00 a.m.– Noon
Have you ever been afraid of
what critters lurk in the night?
Well, sometimes possums,
skunks, and even wolves get
scared, too! Join us for a funny
tale by Gianna Marino about nocturnal
animals that are afraid of the dark, only
to find out that they are night animals
themselves! Learn some fun facts about
the nocturnal animals in the park and
make a paper bag owl craft!
Field School for Kids
Registration is required. These are drop off programs but
adults are welcome to stay – however, seating is limited.
The Milk-Makers
Tuesday, July 11, 2:00–3:30 p.m. Dairy farmers work hard to bring fresh and
wholesome milk products to market. Have
an “udderly” fun time on Cow Appreciation
Day as we read a story about cows, compare
different cow breeds, and learn about life on a dairy farm.
Then explore how milk is made into butter, cheese and other
yummy products. Wrap up with an ice cream social and
taste a "Howling Cow" treat. For ages 7-14, $7/Child.
Hand Mills & Millstones
Tuesday, August 22, 10:00–11:00 a.m. Your teeth can’t crack grain! Find out how people made
flour from wheat and meal from corn long ago, and try out
a variety of ancient-style hand mills. Survey milling history
and learn about equipment that has been used around the
world to grind grains. For ages 7-14; fee: $4/
Child. Bundle this program with the Kids'
History Detective Mill Tour from 11 a.m. to
Noon for the best learning experience.
Animal Tracks and Signs
Tuesday, September 5, 10:00 a.m.– Noon Hark! Who goes there? Let’s celebrate wildlife by
learning to read the tracks and signs animals leave behind.
Find out what animals are eating, where they are going,
and what they’ve been up to! Observe animals in
action on an around-the-pond hike.
For ages 7-14; fee: $8/Child.
continued
Quarter Year Programs at Historic Yates Mill County Park
Historic Trades Demonstration
Free demos and displays for all ages are available each
month from March to November in the Mill Yard. For
all ages. FREE. Registration is not required.
Ice Suppliers & Tradesmen
Saturday, July 15, 1:00–4:00 p.m. Cool summer treats like ice cream, snow cones, and
popsicles all have one thing in common. Ice! Valued
around the world for its cooling purposes for thousands of
years, it was first harvested as a sale-able commodity in
the United States in the early 1800s. Explore the history of
this essential ingredient and try your hand at ice bowling.
Apiarists & Bee Business
Saturday, August 19, 1:00–4:00 p.m. Perfect your pollinator perception this summer as we
explore how these beneficial insects pollinate flowers
and help our gardens grow. Celebrate National Honey Bee
Day by discovering how bee hives works, and by
exploring the ways that bee-keepers have historically
housed and cared for their hives. See what a bee
sees through a fun field exploration.
The Farm Family
Saturday, September 16, 10:00 a.m.– 4 p.m. While large plantations have come to represent life in the
American South, in reality the majority of the
population was made up of middle to lower
class farm families. These families depended on
the labor of the husband, wife and children for
survival. Bring your family and learn what your role
on a 19th century farm would have been through
fun activities and crafts.
Art in the Park
Registration is not required. For all ages; fee: FREE! Adult accompaniment is required for all children.
Build a Scarecrow Day
Sunday, July 2, 3:00–4:30 p.m. When you think of scarecrows, you
might think of the fall season but they
really are needed in summer to guard
gardens from hungry wildlife! Help us
on National Build a Scarecrow Day to
protect our garden by helping to build a
few spooky scarecrows for the park. We
will provide the clothes & straw needed.
Project Friendship Day
Saturday-Sunday,
August 5-6, 8:30 a.m.– 5:00 p.m. Come by the park center any time during
the day to participate in a collaborative
community art project celebrating
National Friendship Day, which is
August 6. A variety of artistic materials
will be provided to help you to express
your vision of friendship and goodwill.
Apple Seeds & Orchard Fun
Sunday, Sept. 24, 3:00–4:30 p.m. Join us for some fruitful fun! Listen to
a story about Johnny Appleseed, the
legendary character who's based on John
Chapman, the American nurseryman who
planted apple trees in many states. Play
the game of "fruit dash" and try your hand
at the "apple bushel toss". Then create a
seed work of art to take home.