January-March 2019 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. For all ages; fee:

$5/Adult, $4/Senior (ages 60+), and $3/Child (ages 7-16). Free for ages 6 & under. Adult accompaniment is required for all children.

Saturdays at the Old Mill Tours Saturdays, March 2, 9, 23 & 30; 1:00–3:00 p.m.

Do you want to get inside Historic Yates Mill? Join us for a half-hour tour (starting at 1, 1:30, 2, 2:30 or 3 p.m.) to view the main power drive and milling machinery while

exploring the mill's history and aspects of its preservation. Preregistration is encouraged. Tickets are available

inside the park's visitor center.

Mill Heritage and Local History Tours Sundays, March 3, 10, 24 & 31; 2:00-3:00 p.m.

Tuesday, March 26; 2:00-3:00 p.m. (good for small groups) Discover Historic Yates Mill - a place of business, communi-ty, 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. Preregistration is encouraged.

History Detective Mill Tour Monday, March 4; 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 arti-facts inside the only remaining water-powered gristmill in

Wake County. Registration is required. Bundle this tour with the Field School program taking place the same day from

10:00-11:00 a.m. for the ultimate learning 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 Saturday, March 16; 10:00 a.m.–Noon and 1:00–4:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 17; 1:00–4:00 p.m.

It`s 1863 at Yates Mill, and the yard is alive with activity! 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 pm. Tickets are available at the Mill.

Yates Mill merchandise is for sale during corn grinding weekends, while stone-ground cornmeal & postcards

are available daily in the park center.

Yates by Night

Signs of Spring Friday, March 29; 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Go on a night hike with a naturalist to test your sensory skills after dark. We’ll hike past the pond's edge and through forests, wetlands, and fields to discover what

happens in these habitats at night. The air will be crisp and the land will be alive with night sounds. Come prepared for

a fun and engaging spring nighttime adventure! For ages 6 & up (adult accompaniment is required for all children); FREE. Registration is required.

Field Studies for Adults

Tree Bark & Buds Sunday, February 24; 1:30-3:00 p.m.

The leaves have fallen from the trees, but you can still learn to identify them by recognizing their

bark and buds. After reviewing a short presentation on winter tree identification,

we will hike out into the woods and practice keying out trees by their winter characteristics.

Handouts provided. For ages 14 & up; FREE. Registration is required.

Historic Trades

Millwrights, Millers, & their Apprentices Saturday, March 16; 1:00–4:00 p.m.

Milling is among the oldest of human occupations. While a miller operates water or wind mills, a millwright builds them

and sets up machinery such as drive shafts, gears, and mechanical belts. Most millers and millwrights were

educated through apprenticeship programs where they received classroom education and on-the-job training.

Explore this tabletop display to discover the similarities and differences of these historic trades; sign an apprentice's

contract; and use plastic gears to design your own machine! For all ages; FREE. Registration is not required.

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Quarter Year Programs at Historic Yates Mill County Park

Discovery Tables

FREE! Registration is not required. For all ages!

Head to the park center exhibit hall.

New Years Celebrations Around the World Wednesday-Friday, January 2-4; 8:30 a.m.– 5:00 p.m.

Happy New Year! In America we celebrate the new year on January 1, but did you know that in

China they celebrate the new year later in the year? Learn about new year traditions around the world and make a Chinese New Year's lantern to take home.

Wizened Woodchucks & Weather Predictors Friday-Sunday, February 1-3; 8:30 a.m.– 5:00 p.m.

How did people predict the weather before The Weather Channel and can animals really help? Come to the visitor center and check out some at-home weather

equipment you can make with recycled and natural materials, and put our

colonial "weather proverbs" to the test.

National Birds

Monday-Weds., February 18-20; 8:30 a.m.– 5:00 p.m.

Is it true that Turkey and Eagle once faced off to see who would be our national bird? Find out the answer

and discover the natural characteristics that made each bird a contender. Celebrate Presidents Day and the

Great Backyard Bird Count in one fell swoop! Learn about the use of birds in national symbols and make your own

bird-themed Great Seal to take home.

The Vernal Equinox Wednesday-Sunday, March 20-24; 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

The Vernal Equinox signals the beginning of Spring. It is the point when there are exactly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness at the equator.

Mark the change of seasons by heading to the park's Finley Center Exhibit Hall to explore fun facts about this special time of year. Find out about how and why

the equinox occurs, and also learn about seasonal folklore and related historical traditions.

Special Events

13th Annual Mill as Muse Community Art & Photography Contests

Sunday, February 10; entries due before 5:00 p.m. Share your artistic creations by entering the park’s annual

community art and photography contests. Contest rules will be posted in January 2019. The contests include youth and adult categories with mill, nature, and people in the park as subjects. Contest Entries due: Between Friday, February 1,

starting at 8:30 a.m., and Sunday, February 10, before 5 p.m.

Mill as Muse Award Ceremony & Reception Friday, February 22; 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Yates Mill has served as a source of artistic inspiration for more than two centuries and continues to be the

subject of numerous local works of art. Help us to celebrate the opening of the park’s 13th annual

community art and photography exhibit, applaud the art and photography contest winners, and meet some

of the artists. For all ages; FREE. Light refreshments will be served. Registration is not required.

A Side of History

The Legends of Saint Valentine Saturday, February 9; 11:00 a.m.–Noon

Every February 14, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But

who is this mysterious saint, and where did these traditions come from? Find out about the history of this centuries-old

holiday, from ancient Roman rituals to the customs of Victorian England. Then create a Valentine's Day card to

give to a special someone. For all ages; fee: FREE. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment.

Seasons on a Farm Plowing and Planting

Sunday, March 17; 1:00–5:00 p.m. For almost 200 years, farmers brought their wheat and corn to what is now Yates Mill to have their grains ground into

flour and meal. Today, you can stop by the park center to see a tabletop display about what tasks 19th-century farmers and their families would be doing each month as part of their life

on a farm. In March, learn how farmers plowed the fields and planted crops in the 1800s; see sample farm artifacts; and plant a seed in a

newspaper pot to take home. For all ages; FREE. Registration is not required.

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January-March 2019 Programs at Historic Yates Mill County Park

The Great Backyard Bird Count

A Year of Birding at Yates Mill Pond Friday–Monday, February 15–18; 8:30 a.m.– 5:00 p.m.

Come by the park center during the four days of the Great Backyard Bird Count to view a slideshow of the birds of Yates Mill Pond. Over 150 photographs are featured This slideshow,

which has accompanying music, was put together a few years ago by photographer Paula Page.

Build a Bluebird House Monday, February 18; 2:00-4:00 p.m.

Learn about the history of the Eastern Bluebird and how you can attract them to your yard. Hike along our bluebird trail to check the park boxes and prepare them for the coming season. Then make your own nest box to take home. For all ages (adult accompaniment is required for all children); FREE. We have

ten boxes available on a first-come, first-serve basis – note that we will only allow one box per family. Registration is required

for one family member.

Breakfast with the Birds Saturday, February 16; 9:00–10:30 a.m.

Enjoy doughnuts with a cup of shade-grown, bird-friendly coffee or hot chocolate for the kids, before leisurely walking

the trails with a park naturalist to identify and count the birds. Please bring a reusable mug for each member of your family.

For all ages; fee: FREE. Registration is required for all participants, and children must have adult accompaniment.

Afternoon Backyard Bird Count Sunday, February 17; 2:30–3:30 p.m.

Join a park naturalist on a one-mile hike around Yates Mill Pond and help to identify and count the birds that we see along the way. Learn how to identify backyard birds by sight, sound, and other signs. For all ages (adult accompaniment is required for all children); FREE. Preregistration not required.

Natural Explorations

For all ages; fee: FREE. Registration is required for all family members & children must have adult

accompaniment.

Stately Squirrels Monday, January 21; 2:00–3:00 p.m.

Did you know that the gray squirrel is North Carolina's state mammal and that field research on them took place

historically at Yates Mill Pond? Join us on "Squirrel Appreciation Day” as we explore the adaptations that make this bushy-tailed mammal so mesmerizing through stories,

a craft, and a nature hike.

Animals in Winter Saturday, February 23; 2:00–3:00 p.m.

Winter days find many animals curled up in their dens. They sleep warmly, awakening in spring ready to enjoy the renewed Earth. Discover how animals prepare for

cold weather and which ones hibernate during the winter months. Play some

fun games and take a short hike around the pond to look for signs of

wintering animals.

Welcome Spring! Wednesday, March 20; 2:00–3:00 p.m.

Celebrate the coming of Spring by going on a sensory hike around the millpond with a park naturalist. While exploring park wildlife, learn about the history,

cultural traditions, and science associated with the Vernal Equinox.

Park Tales For all ages (adult accompaniment is required for all children); fee: FREE.

Registration is required for ALL family members.

The Mitten Friday, January 25;

11:00 a.m.–Noon Join us to read Jan Brett’s classic 'The Mitten,’ a whimsical story about a young boy, his white

mittens, and the woodland creatures he encounters. Learn

some knitting history and make your own paper

snowflake mittens.

Slugs in Love Thursday, February 14;

11:00 a.m.–Noon Marylou loves everything about Herbie—how his slime trail glistens in the dark, how he can stretch himself thin to squeeze inside the cellar window, and how he always finds the juiciest tomatoes. But Marylou is a shy slug. How can

she get Herbie to notice her? Find out how Marylou woos her beloved in this love story that

is perfect for Valentine’s Day. Hear this adorable story then make a valentine craft.

Turtle Splash! Countdown at the Pond

Thursday, March 7; 11:00 a.m.–Noon

As they are startled by the activities of other nearby creatures, the number of turtles on a log in a

pond decreases from ten to one, in a splash-happy celebration of

numbers and animals. Learn about North Carolina turtles and make a

fun turtle craft to take home!

Field School for Kids

Registration is required. These are drop-off programs for kids ages 7-14, but adults are welcome to stay. FREE.

Rock Hounds Park Tour Monday, January 7; 10:30 a.m.-Noon

On "Old Rock Day," come explore the rocks of Yates Mill, including those found naturally in the park and others that were brought there

for mill work purposes. Take a hike to the mill dam to discover its geologic foundation

and explore how rocks have been used in milling grains for thousands of years.

Animal Adaptations Tuesday, February 26; 10:30 a.m. - Noon

How do animals survive and thrive in the wild? Study the behaviors and body parts that make

animals successful. Examine animal mounts, skulls, tracks, scat, and more in our science classroom and observe animals in action on

an around-the-pond hike.

Mill Stories in Motion Monday, March 4; 10:00–11:00 a.m.

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. This

program does not go inside the old mill but a History Detective Mill Tour is offered from 11:00 a.m. to noon—we encourage you to

sign up for that as well, for the ultimate program experience.

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Quarter Year Programs at Historic Yates Mill County Park

Recreational Adventures

Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment. FREE.

A Poppin’ Good Time!

Friday, January 18; 2:00–3:00 p.m.

Celebrate National Popcorn Day at Yates Mill! Learn about different varieties of corn and

what gives popcorn that unique POP. Take part in a creative popcorn-themed craft and enjoy some

fresh-popped popcorn. For all ages.

Weather Wisdom

Friday, February 1; 2:00–3:00 p.m.

The changing weather is probably the most easily observed part of the natural world and is

experienced by everyone on a daily basis. Explore the four weather factors, observe the clouds, and learn about extreme weather patterns. Then test your knowledge and forecast the weather! For ages 7 & up.

In Search of Leprechauns Friday, March 15; 11:00 a.m.–Noon

The mischievous leprechauns have been playing tricks at Yates Mill. Listen to Irish music, read leprechaun stories, and build your own leprechaun trap to help us catch these clever creatures. Be sure to wear green! For ages 6 & up.

Art in the Park

For all ages; FREE!

Mill as Muse Creative Art Session Sunday, January 27; 1:00–4:00 p.m.

Explore your artistic side by creating a work of art to take home or to enter into

the Mill as Muse art contest (entries due Feb. 10). A variety of inspirational

arts and crafts materials will be provided, and a brief slide show will be shown featuring artistic creations related to Yates Mill.

Come anytime during the program time-frame. Registration required.

Colorful Valentines Tuesday-Thursday, February 12-14;

8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Come join us in the park center

for some Valentine’s Day arts and crafts! Create valentines for your

friends, make some love bugs, and take home your own

valentine tree. Registration is not required.

Artsy Owls Saturday, March 23; 11:00 a.m. –Noon Do you love owls? If so, join us to learn all about them! Discover these amazing raptors' adaptations and why they are

important to the ecosystem. We will be practicing our different owl calls

and learning all about these fascinating birds. Create a

Snowy Owl craft and a set of owl wings to take home. Registration is required.

PROGRAM TITLE DATE TIME FEE (if applicable)