Come visit one of Maine's oldest historical sites!

DAILY OPEN HOUSE & SPECIAL EVENTS

Leonard's Mills is open daily year round for visitors to take a leisurely walk around the site reading interpretive signs at each point of interest, explore our self-guiding nature trails, or enjoy a quiet moment by the pond. Special events through the season give visitors a feel for life in the late 1700s. Children's Day features games and entertainment of days gone by. Woodsmen's Day presents logging practices from hand felling and limbing to 20th century Lombard log hauler displays. Blacksmith Roundup brings together smiths from the area displaying their skills. In winter, there are horse drawn sled rides when visitors can see the woods of Maine in all its splendor.

Calendar of Events 2010

Horse-drawn Sled Rides

Sundays, January 10, 24, February 7, 21, March 7 (10am - 3pm)

Ride through the forest and around an early lumbering settlement on horse-drawn sleds. Meet at the Blacksmith's Shop, then return there after the ride to enjoy hot chocolate by the wood stove.

Woodsmen's Day

TBA (10am - 3pm)

Come watch the forestry teams form several area colleges in good-spirited competition and learn about the tools of the lumbering trade and the life of the lumberer.

Children's Days

Wednesday, June 2, Thursday, June 3, and Friday, June 4 (9am - 1:30pm)

Children are invited to participate in period-appropriate activities to learn what life was like in the 1790's before electricity. Registration is required!

Summer at Leonard's Mills

Saturday and Sunday, July 10 and 11 (10am - 4pm)

Step back in time to the 1790's as our colonial village comes alive. Colonial era spinning, candlemaking, wood working, trapping, blacksmithing, and many more traditional activities are demonstrated. Come try some bean-hole beans and take an old-fashioned horse drawn wagon ride and participate in hands-on activities.

Summer Saturdays

Saturdays in July, August, and September (10am - 3pm)

Additional programs are being offered to present new and in-depth experiences highlighting life in an early lumbering settlement:

-Dyeing, Spinning, Weaving, Needlework

TBA (10am - 3pm) Admission: Adult $5, Child $2

Spinning, dyeing, and weaving! Yarn, fabric, and bobbin lace! For a $2 fee make a brooch and take it home.

-Have Fun With Woodworking

TBA (10am - 3pm) Admission: Adult $5, Child $2

Learn basic skills with age-old hand tools. For a $5 materials fee make a bluebird house to take home.

-Lumbering in the Maine Woods: Men and Their Machines

See many machines of the lumbering trade in action.

And

-Blacksmith's Roundup

Join the New England Blacksmiths for some fancy forging. The morning includes training by a master blacksmith. The afternoon offers demonstrations in the yard. Visitors get a chance to try their hand at this craft.

See Both  Saturday, August 14 (10am - 3pm) Admission: Adult $5, Child $2

-Music at the Mill "Leonard's Mills, That is!"

TBA (10am - 3pm) Admission: Adult $5, Child $2

It wasn't all work and no play in the 1790's, music was great entertainment.

-Preserving the Harvest at Leonard's Mills

Saturday, September 4 (10am - 3pm) Admission: Adult $5, Child $2

The crops are ripening, and winter is coming, Mason jars (TM) hadn't yet been invented. See the many methods of smoking, drying, pickling, and preparation of medicinal herbs.

-REVOLUTION! Re-enacting, Medicine, and a Dose of Local History!

Saturday, September 18 (10am - 3pm) Admission: Adult $5, Child $2

Learn about the "state of medicine" in the Eighteenth Century, and learn about re-enactors - how its done and why! Then hear about the harrowing happenings in Hampden during the War of 1812, presented by the Hampden Historical Society.

 

Living History Days

Saturday and Sunday, October 2 and 3 (10am - 4pm) Admission: Adult $8, Child $3

A perfect time to view the foliage of our beautiful forest while experiencing life in a 1790's colonial village. Enjoy bateau rides, wagon rides, making homemade cedar shakes, and fresh pressed cider and more.

For information on admission fees, directions, and school programs, please call (207)974-6278. The Museum is open daily from April through October for self-guided tours; the nature trails are open year round. Donations accepted. Leonard's Mills is located on Route 178 in Bradley, about halfway between Brewer and Milford. Maine Forest and Logging Museum, Inc., P. O. Box 456, Orono, ME 04473-0456.