Peirce Mill’s longtime miller, Jeanne Minor, retires

Peirce Mill’s now-retired miller, Jeanne Minor.

Historic Peirce Mill in Rock Creek Park is notable, in part, for being the only surviving mill along Rock Creek, and until recently, for employing one of the few female millers in the U.S.

Jeanne Minor retired at the end of 2021. Minor had been a National Park Service ranger since 2008, and was Peirce Mill’s lead miller for nearly a decade, according to Friends of Peirce Mill’s spring newsletter.

And now, three will do the work of one. During a recent visit, a ranger told us that three park rangers/interpreters have been trained to take Minor’s place.

Minor is remaining active with the mill as a member of Friends of Peirce Mill’s board. Prior to joining NPS, Minor was an animal keeper at the National Zoo, caring for the lions and tigers.

Peirce Mill, which will be 200 years old in 2029, is located at 2401 Tilden Street NW. Its summer hours are Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Milling demonstrations occur April through October on the second and fourth Saturdays, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.