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Watkins Woolen Mill State Historic Site

Activities

Park Information

Stepping on to the grounds of Watkins Woolen Mill State Historic Site is like stepping into 19th century pastorale. Many of the buildings that Waltus Watkins spent half a century building – including an elegant home and a three-story woolen mill – have been preserved to give visitors a sense of life in the 1870s. The mill is the only 19th century textile mill in the United States with its original machinery still intact. The site's visitor center offers an introduction to the Watkins family and their many business ventures.

Park Hours

Historic Site Grounds:
  • 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

Visitor Center hours

Visitor Center and Museum

  • 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

Watkins Mill hours

Tours of Watkins Woolen Mill and the Watkins House:

  • April through October
    10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday
    11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sunday
    Mill tours are given on the even hours (10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m.)
    House tours are on the odd hours (11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m.)
  • November through March
    10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Friday, Saturday and holiday Mondays
    11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Sunday
    Mill tours are given on the even hours (10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m.)
    House tours are on the odd hours (11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m.)

Swimming Beach hours

CLOSED FOR THE SEASON

Fifty years ago, if you had arrived at the natural tunnel in Bennett Spring State Park, you would have seen a lake. Around 1964, a dam created from gravel and silt and reinforced with rebar and concrete blocked the upstream entrance of the natural tunnel. There is no record of how long the resulting lake lasted, but historical accounts state the dam failed after heavy rains, leaving only the portion of the structure seen today at the end of the trail. Walk the Natural Tunnel Trail today and imagine what it would have been like 50 years ago. For more information about this trail, other trails at the park, and all the other things you can do at Bennett Spring State Park, visit mostateparks.com.