Watkins Mill – Excelsior, MO
N 39° 24.612 W 094° 15.582
15S E 391551 N 4363055
This museum is full of memorabilia that tells about the Watkins’ farm and their industry and has an automated loom operating in the back of the room.
Waymark Code: WMR1TM
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 04/29/2016
Views: 2
This museum is full of memorabilia that tells about the Watkins’ farm and their industry and has an automated loom operating in the back of the room. A variety of primitive tools, a two seat horse-drawn carriage, grindstone, hand plow, and other implements were also on exhibit. The museum is free; One has the option of a guided tour of the farm and mill for a cost of $4 or to take a self-guided tour at no charge.
Waltus Watkins, a farmer and businessman built the woolen mill in 1860 and produced a dozen different fabrics, a variety of blankets, yarn, and batting. He also built a gristmill and sawmill, planted a sizeable orchard, and raised shorthorn cattle, sheep, horses, and hogs. His bee hives still stand behind the house; the family sold honey, made their own butter and cheese, canned and dried the fruit and vegetables that they raised, and cured meat. Flour and cornmeal was produced in the gristmill and sold in stores. The woolen mill was finally closed in the late 1890’s, but the family continued to farm the land until 1945. The woolen mill remains just has it did during operation. Inside a display of bowls of raw wool, a lathe, wood turning tools, and other artifacts from that time period is on display for visitors.
The property became a state historic site in 1964, was put on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966, and is now operated by the Missouri DNR as part of the state park
Theme:
Cultural history; History of the Watkins Mill and Farm
Street Address:
Watkins Mill State Park
NE 161st Street and County Road RA
Excelsior, MO 64024
Food Court: no
Gift Shop: yes
Hours of Operation:
April through October
9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday
10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday
November through March
9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday
10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Sunday
Cost: 4.00 (listed in local currency)
Museum Size: Small
Relevant Web Site: [Web Link]
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Visit Instructions:
In order to log this waymark in this category, you must be able to provide proof of your visit. Please post a picture of yourself or your GPSr in front some identifiable feature or point of interest either in the museum, or on the museum grounds.