If these walls could talk: Peirce Mill launches ‘Mill Stories’ blog, and seeks volunteers to assist visitors

The Peirce Mill water wheel and a visitor in 1940. (NPS photo)

We didn’t include Peirce Mill in our roundup of February happenings around the neighborhood, as winter at the Rock Creek Park historical site is usually downtime. At least, from the outside.

We know, however, that Friends of Peirce Mill is always active behind the scenes. This month, the group launched a blog called “Mill Stories.” The first story is about the remarkable William Beckett, an enslaved man who managed Joshua Peirce’s nursery before and after Emancipation.

Last Saturday, mill friends trekked to southern Maryland for some maintenance supplies.

Friends of Peirce Mill is also actively recruiting volunteers who will be trained to give tours, assistance and information to the mill’s visitors.

The mill is open most winter weekends from noon to 4 p.m., but due to short staffing, Rock Creek NPS says Peirce Mill will be closed February 25th, February 26th, March 3rd, and March 4th. The March weekend hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The first event of 2023 features the Rock Creek Morris Women, who will usher in spring with their dances at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 25th.

The Rock Creek Morris Women at Peirce Mill in 2019.

Visiting Peirce Mill: The mill is located at 2401 Tilden Street NW. Friends of Peirce Mill has detailed hours and directions on its website. Milling demonstrations are held the second and fourth Saturdays of April through October, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.