Hanford Mills Museum will hold its annual Independence Day Celebration on Wednesday, July 4. Activities include a kids’ fishing derby on the Mill Pond, frog jumping contests, live music, local food, and steam-power and water-power demonstrations in the Museum’s historic sawmill, gristmill and woodworking shop.
Visitors can sample ice cream made on steam-powered churn chilled with ice cut during February’s Ice Harvest Festival. Tickled Pink BBQ will be selling lunch and snack items, the Farmer’s Wife will be selling pies and treats, and Shaver-Hill Farm will be selling maple products, including maple cotton candy. Visitors also can bring a picnic.
“The Independence Day Celebration is a day of authentic family fun,” says Liz Callahan, the Museum’s executive director. “The steam power demonstrations in the mill are a big draw, as is the Mill-made ice cream. There is a festive and friendly atmosphere each, as we gather to mark July Fourth and spend time with friends and family.”
The Independence Day Celebration on July 4 runs from 10 am to 4 pm, with the Museum site open until 5 pm. Children 12 and under, Museum members, and active duty military and their families receive free admission.
Special Fun for Kids
Children 14 and under can take part in a fishing derby on the Mill Pond from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm, with prizes being awarded at 2 pm. Children can bring their own fishing poles and bait. There also will be poles available to borrow. In addition to sack races and tug o’ war, children can enjoy kid-friendly activities in the Learning Lab.
Steam Power Demonstrations
Hanford Mills Museum is one of the few places in the country that demonstrates steam power. “Generating steam power is labor intensive and requires specific expertise. Staff and volunteers will be operating the wood-fired boiler and steam engines just as the Hanfords did a century ago. July Fourth is the ideal time to explore American ingenuity.” She noted that while the Museum operates the waterwheel during tours offered every Wednesday through Sunday, steam power demonstrations occur only a few times a year.
“With ice cream, jumping frogs, steam power, live music, fishing on the Mill pond, waterwheels and local food, we have all the ingredients for a unique and happy Fourth of July,” says Callahan.
About Hanford Mills Museum
Hanford Mills Museum operates an authentic water- and steam-powered historic site. The mission of Hanford Mills Museum is to inspire audiences of all ages to explore connections among energy, technology, natural resources and entrepreneurship in rural communities, with a focus on sustainable choices. The Museum, which is listed on the National and New York State Registers of Historic Places, is open Wednesdays-Sundays, 10 am – 5 pm.
Children 12 and under, and Museum members receive free admission. Admission is $9 for adults and teens, $7 for seniors and AAA members, and $4.50 for retired military. Hanford Mills participates in the National Endowment for the Arts Blue Star Museum Initiative, so all active duty Military and their families receive free admission. Through the Museums for All program, anyone with an EBT card also receives free admission. East Meredith residents (13757) and nearby zip codes also get free admission. For more information, visit hanfordmills.org or call 607.278.5744.
Hanford Mills Museum is located at 51 County Highway 12 in East Meredith, at the intersection of Delaware County Routes 10 & 12, just 10 miles from Oneonta, and 15 miles from Delhi.
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