January-March 2020 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 mill tour types are available. Funds raised through tours go to the non-profit Yates Mill

Associates (www.yatesmill.org) & support the mill’s maintenance and operations. Adult accompaniment is required for all children.

Tickets are available inside the park's visitor center.

Saturdays at the Old Mill Tours

Saturdays, March 7, 14, & 28; 1–3 p.m. Might 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. For all ages; fee: $5/Adult, $4/Senior (ages 60+), $3/Child (ages 7-16), Children ages 6 and under are free. Preregistration is encouraged.

Mill Heritage and Local History Tours Sundays, March 1, 8, 15 & 29; 2–3 p.m.

Wednesday, March 25; 2–3 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. For all ages; fee: $5/Adult, $4/Senior (ages 60+), $3/Child (ages 7-16), Children ages 6 & under

are free. Preregistration is encouraged.

History Detective Mill Tour Tuesday, March 31; 11 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.

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 21; 10 a.m.–Noon and 1–4 p.m. Sunday, March 22; 1–4 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

and over), $3/Child (ages 7-16), Children ages 6 and under are free. Preregistration is encouraged. Tours are not available between Noon-1 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 and postcards

are available daily in the park center.

A Side of History

The Legends of Saint Valentine

Saturday, February 8; 11 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; FREE. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment.

Recreational Adventures

A Poppin’ Good Time! Sunday, January 19; 2–3 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; FREE. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment.

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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 exhibit hall of the A.E. Finley Center for

Education & Research (our visitor center). All of these displays are available daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

New Years Celebrations Around the World

Thursday-Sunday, January 2–5 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 a bit 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

Saturday-Monday, February 1–3 How did people predict the weather before the

Weather Channel, and can animals really help? Come to the Finley Center to put our colonial weather proverbs to the test and make a pop-up woodchuck puppet

to take home. Also check out some at-home weather equipment you can make with recycled

and natural materials.

National Birds Monday-Wednesday, February 17–19

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 Thursday-Sunday, March 19–22

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;

learn about seasonal folklore and related historical traditions; and make a fun craft to take home!

Special Events

A Birthday Party for Frankie

Monday, January 27; 2:30–4 p.m. Frankie the Turtle is a Yellow-bellied Slider who lives in the park center and is happy to be visited by park goers of

all ages. He was donated to the park in January 2015 when he was ten years old. A local family had raised him from when

he was very young and he cannot be released to the wild. Staff tries to provide him with the best living

situation possible and would like to celebrate his 15th birthday with both him and you! Join us for some turtle-themed party games and enjoy some

birthday cake while Frankie gets some fishy treats! For all ages (adult accompaniment is required for

all children); FREE. Registration is required for everyone.

14th Annual Mill as Muse Community Art & Photography Contests

Sunday, February 9; entries due before 5 p.m. Share your artistic creations by entering the park’s annual

community art and photography contests. Contest rules will be posted by January 6, 2020. The contests include youth and adult categories with mill, nature, and people

in the park as subjects. Contest entries may be turned in at the front desk of the Finley Center

between Saturday, February 1, and Sunday, February 9, before 5 p.m.

Note that the winning entries in the art & photo contests will be placed on display in the A.E. Finley Center for Education

and Research (our visitor center) for 2 full months.

Mill as Muse Awards Ceremony & Reception

Friday, February 21; 6–7:30 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 14th 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.

Mill as Muse Art & Photography Exhibit

Saturday-Sunday, February 22–23; 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Many of our visitors find artistic inspiration in Yates Mill and the surrounding parkland. Park staff host this annual

competition and exhibition to give community members a chance to show off their skills and to celebrate the beauty of

the mill and park. Contest winners will be announced on Feb. 21 and all contest entries will be on display in the

park’s Finley Center exhibit hall throughout the weekend.

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January-March 2020 Programs at Historic Yates Mill County Park

The Great Backyard Bird Count

This event engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of bird populations. Participants

can report their sightings at birdcount.org. Each checklist submitted helps researchers at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and

the National Audubon Society learn more about how birds are doing, and how to protect them and the environment we share.

A Year of Birding at Yates Mill Pond Friday–Monday, February 14–17; 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Come by the park center during the Great Backyard Bird

Count to view a slideshow of the birds of Yates Mill Pond. Over 150 photographs of birds are featured, along with a

few cool mammals. This slideshow was put together a few years ago by photographer Paula Page and Ellen Tinsley.

Natural Explorations: Love Birds Friday, February 14; 10–11:30 a.m.

Explore how birds begin courtship displays to attract mates and warn off rivals, and also what they

do to set up house. Experience the abundance of bird life that is found in the park by heading outdoors with a park naturalist to see who's flapping about. Binoculars may be borrowed to get the best "bird's-eye view.” For all ages;

FREE. Registration is required.

Afternoon Backyard Bird Count Monday, February 17; 2–3:30 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. Registration is not required.

Natural Explorations

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

Animals in Winter Saturday, January 25; 2–3:30 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 deal with cold

weather and which ones hibernate during the winter months. Play some fun games and take a short

hike to look for signs of wintering animals.

Winter Boundary Hike Friday, February 7; 2–4 p.m.

Have you ever wondered what the less seen areas of the park look like? Join us for an afternoon hike off-trail as we walk some of the boundary areas and look for things of interest.

Use local maps and test your orientation skills, as we walk through rough terrain in search of wildlife

and other winter wonders.

Welcome Spring! Friday, March 20; 2–3 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); FREE.

Registration is required for ALL family members.

The Snowy Day Wednesday, January 22;

11 a.m.–Noon Join us as we read Ezra Jack Keats’ beautiful book about a young boy’s adventures in the snow. Learn some of the history behind this Caldecott Award-winning book, discover fun facts about snow, and make crafts

inspired by the book’s illustrations!

The Six Swans Wednesday, February 26;

11 a.m.–Noon The Six Swans is an ancient German fairy tale that was documented by the Brothers Grimm. In the story, to save her brothers, a princess may not

speak until a curse is broken. Find out how she manages to save herself and her brothers just in the nick of time, then explore the nature of swans and make a swan craft to take home.

The Little Wood Duck Tuesday, March 24;

11 a.m.–Noon The Wood Ducks are nesting and hatchlings are on the way! Join us for an endearing story about a little duck that was born slightly different

from his siblings. This story by Brian Wildsmith teaches the importance of sensitivity and

individuality. Learn about Wood Ducks and make a fun duck craft!

Field School for Kids

History Hike Tuesday, January 7; 10:30 a.m.–Noon

Explore the park while learning about the history, geography, hydrology, and environment around Yates Mill Pond. Learning about the past and exploring the

mill’s history can help us to understand how we can live better lives and support our communities. While this

program does not include a tour inside the old mill, we will check out the mill dam, rock outcrop, and waterfall. For ages 7-14; FREE. Registration is required. This is a drop-off

program, but adults are welcome to stay.

Animal Tracks & Signs Monday, February 10; 1–3 p.m. Hark! Who goes there? Let us 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! Then observe animals in action on a guided hike. For ages 7-14; FREE. Registration is required. This is a drop-off program, but adults can stay.

Milling Around with the Little Red Hen Monday, March 9; 10:30 a.m.–Noon

Relive the beloved story of the Little Red Hen then take a trip to the water mill to gather ingredients for an imaginary loaf of bread. Discover the connection between the Little

Red Hen and farm products through hands-on activities, then make a chicken hat craft to take home. For ages 4-6; $3/Child (these funds support the old mill). Registration is required for all children.

Adult accompaniment is required.

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Quarter Year Programs at Historic Yates Mill County Park

Historic Trades

Farriers Saturday, March 21; 1–4 p.m.

"Shoe shoddy fellow fine, can you shoe this horse of mine?" They can if they're a farrier! Traditionally the work of a

farrier's would have included horseshoeing, the fabrication and repair of tools, the forging of architectural pieces, and

more, while modern day farriers usually focus their efforts on the care of horses' hooves.

Explore this unique trade and how the job of the farrier is different from a blacksmith, and see some of the tools involved in this job. For all ages; FREE. Registration is not required.

Art in the Park

Mill as Muse Creative Art Session Sunday, February 2; 1–3 p.m.

Yates Mill has served as a source of artistic inspiration for more than two centuries. Explore your artistic side by creating a work of art to take home or to enter the Mill as Muse art contest (entries due by Feb. 9). 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. For all ages; FREE.

Registration is required for all participants, and children must have adult accompaniment.

Yates By Night

Signs of Spring

Saturday, March 28; 7–8 p.m. Go on a night hike with a park naturalist to test your sensory skills after dark. We will 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 and up (adult accompaniment is required for all children);

FREE. Registration is required.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer Interest Session Sunday, March 22; 2–3 p.m.

Do you like history, the environment, agriculture, or the arts? Consider volunteering at the park! Join us anytime during the program time to gather information about the exciting ways you can lend a hand. Registration is not

required. Call (919) 856-5378 for details.

Volunteers Afloat Sunday, March 29; 3:30–5:30 p.m.

Come and help to clean up trash from around the pond. Imagine a volunteer experience away from the hubbub of

Raleigh where you can get out on a boat and paddle around on the water, while helping to care for

the environment and local wildlife. For ages 14 & up (adult accompaniment is required for all children); FREE.

PROGRAM TITLE DATE TIME FEE (if applicable)