Peirce Mill hosting a mill tour and hard cider tasting for members Sept. 10

Historic Peirce Mill is the only surviving mill of the many once operating on Rock Creek. (photo by William Mills)

This hands-on history event at Peirce Mill will have you hoisting a glass.

Friends of Peirce Mill is hosting a mill tour and hard cider tasting for members only on Saturday, September 10th from 4 to 6 p.m. You can sign up for a membership at the event, or anytime at friendsofpeircemill.org/membership. Membership proceeds support mill preservation (such as the recent barrel hoist restoration) and interpretation (such as the milling demonstrations on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month and Heritage Day in October – more on that here).

Turns out there was a distillery within a stone’s throw of the mill on the corner of Tilden Street and Beach Drive. Here’s what Friends of Peirce Mill has to say about the history and the event:

In 1820, water was not considered safe to drink, so everyone consumed hard cider or beer to quench their thirst. Hard cider was made at the Peirce Estate when Rock Creek valley was lined with fruit trees, and apples were processed at the nearby distillery, caddy-corner from the Peirce Mill. Today, artisanal cider is making a comeback, and you can learn about the production of this historic beverage the old fashioned way.

Friends of Peirce Mill members are invited to learn about the Peirce orchards and distillery and the role of cider making in American history.