Main Menu

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 pastoral. Many of the buildings that Waltus Watkins spent half a century building – including a 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

For temporary closures related to weather, stewardship activities and maintenance, as well as temporary trail closures, click here to visit our Park and Site Status Map.


On the following days (actual or observed), staff will not be available and site buildings will be closed: Thanksgiving Day; Nov. 24, 2023; Christmas Eve; Christmas Day; New Year’s Eve; New Year’s Day; Martin Luther King Jr. Day; Lincoln’s Birthday; and Presidents Day. 

Historic Site Grounds:

  • April 15-Oct. 31
    9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday
    10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday
  • Nov. 1-April 14
    9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday
    10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday

Tours:

Please call for tour information and times at 816-580-3387.

Site Office hours

April 15-Oct. 31 (On-Season)

8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday

9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday

10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday

Nov. 1-April 14 (Off-Season)

8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday

9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday

10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday

On the following days (actual or observed), staff will not be available and site buildings will be closed: Thanksgiving Day; Nov. 24, 2023; Christmas Eve; Christmas Day; New Year’s Eve; New Year’s Day; Martin Luther King Jr. Day; Lincoln’s Birthday; and Presidents Day. 

Visitor Center/Museum hours

April 15-Oct. 31

9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday

10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday

Nov. 1-April 14

9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday

10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday

On the following days (actual or observed), staff will not be available and site buildings will be closed: Thanksgiving Day; Nov. 24, 2023; Christmas Eve; Christmas Day; New Year’s Eve; New Year’s Day; Martin Luther King Jr. Day; Lincoln’s Birthday; and Presidents Day. 

Swimming Beach hours

Beach closed for the season

Paved Bicycle Lake Trail - Trailhead 1 hours

Click here for more information about trails at this park.

Paved Lake Bicycle Trail - Trailhead 4 hours

Click here for more information about trails at this park.