April-June 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

Funds raised through mill tours go to Yates Mill Associates

(www.yatesmill.org) to support mill maintenance & operations.

Preregistration is encouraged. Tickets available in the Center.

Saturdays at the Old Mill Tours Sat. Apr. 1, 8, 22 & 29, May 6, 13 & 27, & Jun. 3, 10 & 24

Between 1:00–3:00 pm

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), Kids ages 6 & younger are free.

Mill Heritage and Local History Tours Sun. Apr. 2, 9, 23 & 30, May 7, 14 & 28, & Jun. 4, 11 & 25

Also on Weds. May 3 & Mon. May 29 (Memorial Day)

From 2:00–3:00 pm

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), Kids ages 6 & younger are free.

Tip Top to Bottom: A Mill Technology Tour Saturday, April 22; 10:00 a.m.–Noon

Opportunities to explore all 4 levels of the mill don’t

happen often! Learn the history of milling in North

Carolina, test your mill trivia, and discover what interesting

machinery is preserved throughout the old mill. Be pre-

pared to climb a lot of stairs! For ages 10 & up; fee: $10/

Adult, $8/Senior (ages 60+) and $6/Child (ages 10-16).

Registration is required – sign up early as space is limited.

History Detective Mill Tour Monday, May 15; 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

artifacts inside Wake County's only remaining water-

powered gristmill. For all ages; Fee: $5/Adult,

$4/Senior (ages 60+), $3/Child (ages 7-16),

Kids ages 6 and younger are free. Bundle this

tour with the Field School program taking

place from 10-11 a.m. for the ultimate experience.

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.

Costumed Corn Grinding Tours Saturdays, April 15, May 20, & June 17

From 10:00 a.m.–Noon and 1:00–4:00 p.m.

Sundays, April 16, May 21, & June 18

Between 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

and over), $3/Child (ages 7-16), Children ages 6 and

under are free. Preregistration is encouraged. Tours

are not available between 12-1 p.m. and the last

tour of the day begins at 3:40 p.m.. Tickets are

available at the Mill on the day of the tour.

A variety of Yates Mill-related merchandise is available for

sale in the mill yard on days when the mill is open for corn

grinding demonstrations. Stone-ground cornmeal is available

for sale in the Park Center anytime when the Center is open.

Country Dancing in the Mill Yard Saturdays, April 15, May 20, & June 17

Noon–12:45 & 4:00–4:45 p.m.

Put your dancing shoes on! Come to the mill yard

to join our costumed interpreters Jon and Karena

Potter to participate in 19th-century country dances.

You don’t need a dance partner -just a willing heart

and a desire to learn. Registration is not required for

this free program, which will take place monthly

during corn grinding weekends.

History Mysteries! Sundays, April 16, May 21, & June 18; 1:00–4:00 p.m.

The Yates Mill Museum needs your help! Staff found some

strange artifacts that need to be studied and identified. Use

clues and your observational skills to discover for yourself

what object of the past is being displayed and what the

artifact must have been used for historically. For all ages

(adult accompaniment required for all children); fee: FREE.

Registration not required. Stop by the Finley Center

exhibit hall anytime during the program time.

www.wakegov.com/parks/yatesmill

continued

Quarter Year Programs at Historic Yates Mill County Park

Historic Trades Demonstrations

Free demos and displays for all ages are available each month

from March to November in the Mill Yard. Registration is not

required. Stop by anytime during the program time.

Planters & Yeoman Farmers Saturday, April 15; 1:00–4:00 p.m.

Yates Mill's founder, Samuel Pearson, was a planter who

owned over 1,500 acres of land. Explore the role of the

planter and compare aspects of their work to that of the

"yeoman" farmers, who lived on small farms and

represented the majority of North Carolinians during the

first half of the 19th century. View farm tools and

plant a garden seed to take home.

Sheep Shearers & Wool Carders Saturday, May 20; 1:00–4:00 p.m.

Jokingly, the question has been asked: “If wool shrinks

when you wash it, why don't sheep get smaller when it

rains?” But seriously, what’s the connection between sheep

and wool? Find out during this month’s Historic Trades

display, while exploring the traditional work of the sheep

shearer and wool carder, and how their work relates to the

production of clothing and other handmade textiles. Then

play a game pretending you are sheep gathered in a heap,

trying to spy the “woolly, woolly wolf.”

Spinners, Dyers & Weavers Saturday, June 17; 1:00–4:00 p.m.

Explore the traditional craftsmanship of hand spinning,

dyeing, and weaving, and discover how these trades support

the use of unique fibers and the production of beautiful

textiles. Delve into some of the raw materials, tools, and

creative processes that have been used by these tradespeople

and try a bit of hand weaving on a small loom.

Field School for Kids

(Previously called Homeschool Days. These are drop off

programs. Adults may stay but seating is limited.)

Geology Rocks! Wednesday, April 12; 10:30 a.m.–Noon

Sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks are

everywhere! Come explore the rocks of Yates Mill

through hands-on science. Test the physical and chemical

components to discover the identity of rocks then play the

rock cycle game. Learn how rocks have been used in milling

grains, and try out a few hand mills before taking a hike to

the mill dam to discover its geologic foundation. For ages

7–14; fee: $6/child. Registration is required.

A-Maize-ing Grains Monday, May 15; 10:00–11:00 a.m.

Put on your "Grain Brain" and investigate the grains in your

favorite foods. Use a mortar and pestle to get inside and find

out what makes whole grains so healthy to eat. Try your

hand at shelling corn, and sprout a living necklace to wear

home! For ages 7–14; fee: $4/child. Registration is required.

This is a drop-off program, but adults are welcome to stay.

Peek into the Pond Monday, June 5; 10:30 a.m.–Noon

Many animals and insects live in and by a pond. Take a

short walk to learn about Yates Mill Pond's watershed then

dip into the pond to explore the diversity of life that exists

there. Examine pond organisms and use a microscope for

an even closer view. Gain an understanding of what it takes

to survive in the water, and explore how aquatic life helps

us to understand water quality and environmental health.

Registration is required. For ages 7–14; fee: $6/child.

Registration is required.

Park Tales

Registration is not required. For all ages; fee: FREE! Adult accompaniment is required for all children.

Flopsy Bunnies & Other Rabbit Tails

Monday, April 17; 4:00–5:00 p.m.

"Bunnies in jackets with brass buttons.”

Young Beatrix Potter and her pets saw a

world filled with magic and adventure!

Tap into your powers of observation –

can you spot Benjamin Bunny in his

dapper tam o’shanter, or Jeremy Fisher

on his lily-pad raft? Hear the tale of the

flopsy bunnies, test your knowledge

about Peter Rabbit and his friends, then

create your own animal tale.

The Rainbow Tulip

Friday, May 12; 4:00–5:00 p.m.

Stella loves her Mexican heritage, but she

doesn't like being different from other kids

at school. Now her class is going to dance

around the Maypole at the school's May

parade, and Stella wants her tulip costume

to be special. Sometimes being different

can be exciting. Celebrate diversity

through this touching story then design

your own May Day costume on paper us-

ing flower petals and other art supplies.

Tiny Thumbelina

Friday, June 9; 4:00–5:00 p.m.

After being born from a red flower,

Thumbelina is pursued by many suitors,

including a horrible toad, a bumbling

beetle, and a grumpy mole. It's not easy

being small, but Thumbelina manages to

avoid their intentions before falling in

love with a flower-fairy prince just her

size. Listen to the tale then craft a "girl

no bigger than your thumb" out of

recycled material to take home.

continued

April-June 2017 Programs at

Historic Yates Mill County Park

Discovery Tables

These self-guided exhibits encourage families and friends

of all ages to enjoy a park experience together. FREE!

Registration is not required. Head to the center exhibit hall.

Nature's April Fools Saturday-Sunday, April 1–2

Many plants & animals play tricks on each other – they look

or act like something other than what they really are. Explore

the ways that nature can be tricky, and learn how wildlife has

evolved to increase their chances of survival and success.

Going Green Saturday-Sunday, April 22–23

Celebrate Earth Day by learning about our "blue planet," tips

on how to reduce your ecological footprint. Take the Earth

Day pledge and make a colorful Earth Bracelet to take home.

Then go on a self-guided treasure hunt hike to search for

“gold coins” with earth-friendly helpful hints.

Terrific Trees Friday-Sunday, April 28–30

In celebration of Arbor Day, learn about the important roles

trees play in our environment and the kinds of wildlife that

benefit from their presence. Pick up a tree trail brochure, then

head out on the trails to discover the kinds of trees found there.

Abundant Birds Thursday, May 4

First observed on May 4, 1894, Bird Day is the oldest of the

days set aside to recognize birds and build bird conservation

awareness. Experience the abundance of bird life found in the

park by watching a colorful slideshow in our park center

auditorium, then play a fun game to explore the wide variety

of bird shapes, sizes, sounds and more that are found in nature.

Eggstraordinary Egg Layers Saturday, June 3

Animals including birds, lizards, turtles, snakes, fish, insects,

spiders, and even some mammals hatch from eggs, which

come in many shapes, colors, and sizes and are sometimes laid

in surprising places. On National Egg Day, explore the variety

of eggs that exist in nature and help build an artistic "nest."

The Longest Summer Day Tuesday-Wednesday, June 20–21

Every year, on June 21, we enjoy the most hours of sunlight

during the whole year. Discover the science and cultural

celebrations behind this special summer day. Make a

pretty sun catcher to hang in your window.

Yates by Night

For ages 6 & up; Fee: $1/Person. Registration is required.

The Starry Sky Friday, May 19; 8:00–9:00 p.m.

Learn how to identify planets, stars, constellations, and more!

Enjoy a presentation in the park center auditorium then head

outdoors to view the night sky through our telescope (weather

dependent). Hear stories about the stars and check out a variety

of sky maps. Adult accompaniment is required for all children.

A Side of History

Registration is required for all family members

and children must have adult accompaniment.

They Wore What?! Thursday, April 27; 6:00–7:00 p.m.

Corsets, crinolines, and kepis, oh my! Though

milling processes haven’t changed that much since

the mill was built in the 1760s, the way people dressed sure

has. Join us to make your own fashion timeline, try on some

colonial clothes, and explore our historic costume collection,

then play a game focused on historical fashion. For ages 8 &

up; fee: $1/Person.

High Flying Kites Wednesday, May 10; 10:30 a.m. – Noon

Kite making is the perfect fun spring project!

Learn about the forces that make kites fly and listen to

the story of Benjamin Franklin and his kite (did he

really draw electricity from lightning in the sky?). Explore

how kites have been used around the world, then make

your own high flying kite to try out in the park’s open field.

For ages 5 & up; fee: $2/Person.

Flag Day Fun Wednesday, June 14; 4:00–5:00 p.m.

Celebrate Flag Day by delving into the history and lore of

the American flag at Historic Yates Mill, which has been

around since before the American Revolution. Explore the

more than 30 national flag designs that have been used over

time, and learn to cut out a five-pointed star like Betsy Ross.

For ages 5 & up; fee: $1/person.

Please join us for a

Volunteer Interest Session

Saturday, June 17; 2:00–3:00 p.m.

Natural Explorations

Registration is required for all family members and

children must have adult accompaniment. FREE!

April Showers Bring May Flowers Saturday, April 1; 3:00–4:00 p.m.

Learn about the meaning and 16th-century origins of this

saying, then explore how water travels through different

environments. Take a walk to view how the park grounds

were designed to protect the pond's water quality and explore

best management practices that can help you manage your

land and prevent pollution.

A May Flower Folly Monday, May 1; 11:00 a.m.–Noon

Celebrate May Day in nature! Stroll along the trails around

Yates Mill Pond while searching for the many marvelous

wildflowers that are in bloom, and listen to a few flowery

poems along the way. Explore how flowers function and the

types of flowering plants that grow locally, and hear the latest

buzz on local pollinators.

A Mid-Summer Day Dream Wednesday, June 21; 4:00–5:00 p.m.

What do Historic Yates Mill County Park and the woodland

faeries have in common? They both love nature! Take a short

walk near the millpond to search for evidence of faeries

(sightings are not guaranteed), explore the astronomical

aspects of Midsummer's Day, and hear a few quotes from

William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

continued

Quarter Year Programs at Historic Yates Mill County Park

Scouting Outing—New!

Field Natural History Sunday, May 7; 3:00–5:00 p.m.

Discover Wake County's biodiversity with a park naturalist!

Take a field trip focused on park habitats including pond, field,

forest, and wetlands, and get firsthand experience with

different field techniques. Explore amazing plants and animals

while playing a one-of-a-kind game of "I spy." Discuss animal

adaptations for feeding, defense, and keeping warm. For ages

6 & up; fee: $50/Troop (Maximum: 3 Troops). Registration is

required and each troop must have adult accompaniment.

Recreational Adventures

Mill Stories in Motion Monday, April 10; 11:00 a.m.–Noon

What do you think a ride to the Old Mill felt like? Was it

fast or slow? Long or short? Bumpy or smooth? And what

were people traveling in? Make history come to life in this

full-bodied transportation exploration. For all ages; fee:

$1/person. Registration is required for all family members,

and children must have adult accompaniment.

Paddle the Pond Saturdays, April 22, May 27, & June 24; 3:00–4:00 p.m.

Learn basic canoeing skills, then 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 weather conditions. For ages 5 and

up (with an accompanying adult), fee: $10/Boat. Each canoe

can hold 1-4 people (800-pound total weight limit).

Registration required. All participants must sign a waiver.

Messing About with Boats Saturday, May 27; 10:30 a.m.–Noon

Ratty, Badger, & Mr. Toad love spending leisurely summer

days going boating. Folks coming to Yates Mill did, too!

Hear some of "The Wind in the Willows" story while

making your own model boat, then test it out on the pond &

pose for pictures with our "Mill Pond Regatta." For ages 6

& up; fee: $2/Person. Registration is required for all family

members, and children must have adult accompaniment.

Family Fishing Fun Sunday, June 18; 11:00 a.m.–Noon

Come out to the millpond and fish the old fashioned way -

we'll provide you with a cane pole, tackle, and bait, along

with basic instructions and assistance with identifying fish

species. You'll need to bring your own luck and patience!

For ages 5 & up (adult accompaniment required for all

children); fee: $1/Person. Registration required.

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Art in the Park

Summer Blooms at Yates Millpond Saturday-Sunday, May 13–14; 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Contribute to a community art project celebrating the spring

season of flowers. Head to the Finley Center reception desk

to make a few paper flowers and then help to decorate the

center with them. For all ages; fee: FREE. Registration is

not required. Children must have adult accompaniment.