It’s milling season again at the historic Peirce Mill – and other news and updates

by Steve Dryden

The Friends of Peirce Mill (FOPM) is pleased to report receiving a $40,000 final grant from a longtime funder, the Marpat Foundation, which is shutting down after many years of serving the DC area. This grant gives us a good start in assembling the funding necessary for completing rehabilitation of the Oliver Evans automated system that moves grain and flour through the mill.

The initial 2011 restoration put the waterwheel, gears and millstones back in working condition; the final steps will enable demonstration of the grain and flour elevators, as well as the other cleaning, cooling, and sifting mechanisms that make up the Evans system. (Lee Armfield Cannon wrote about this phase of the restoration in 2016.)

FOPM President (and Forest Hills resident) Adam Sieminski, one year into his second term in this position, has been named president of the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Adam and his wife Laurie moved to Riyadh at the end of March. Adam’s appointment follows his work on the White House National Security Council, and heading the U.S. Energy Information Administration under President Obama.
 
The FOPM board has named Bill McLeod, the board secretary and volunteer coordinator, to be the new president.
 

Coming up at Peirce Mill

The mill is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The water-powered millstones grind corn on the second and fourth Saturdays from April to October, starting at 11 a.m.

Family Saturdays at Peirce Barn

The mill offers free family activities on the second and fourth Saturdays, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., designed for ages three and up. Children can play games with traditional toys, and make cornhusk dolls, baskets and candles.

Other special events at Peirce Mill

July 28: Square Dance

August 4: Ice Cream Social

September 8: Children’s Day

October 13: Heritage Day

December: Solstice Celebration and Wassailing

Steve Dryden is a Friends of Peirce Mill board member and has written previously about restoring songbird habitat in Rock Creek and restoring the nature sanctuary on Wilson High School’s campus. Stay informed about Friends of Peirce Mill’s restoration efforts and activities on Facebook, Twitter and at friendsofpeircemill.org.