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Abbott’s Mill Nature Center to celebrate 35th anniversary May 20-21

Date Posted: Thursday, March 17th, 2016

Abbott’s Mill Nature Center to celebrate 35th anniversary May 20-21

 

Delaware Nature Society is celebrating the 35th Anniversary of Abbott’s Mill Nature Center, a hidden gem of southern Delaware four miles outside Milford. Abbott’s Mill encompasses 483 acres of upland forests, restored native meadows, pristine ponds and streams, Atlantic white cedar swamps and bogs, salt marsh and wetland preserves and Delaware’s only preserved, working grist mill.

Abbott’s Mill will be kicking off its 35th anniversary year with Patagonia’s The New Localism Documentary Film Festival and an inaugural Run the Mill 5K.

What is now known as Abbott’s Mill Nature Center first began in 1795, when a stone grist mill powered by a breastshot water wheel was built. In the early 1900s, the mill added roller mills, allowing for full production of corn, wheat, barley and oats. During this addition, the mill’s power source was changed from water wheel to water turbine.

In 1919, Ainsworth Abbott purchased the property. He operated the mill singlehandedly until 1963, when he sold the facility to Howard and Frances Killen. The Killens, wishing to preserve its historic and cultural importance, decided to sell the mill property to the Delaware Board of Game and Fish Commissioners (now the Division of Fish and Wildlife).

A multiyear renovation project started in 1976, with the goal to restore the mill to a preserved, working order. Part of the project included building a small classroom facility, which is the current visitor center. In 1980, Delaware Nature Society leased the property as its third statewide facility. In 1981, Abbott’s Mill Nature Center was officially commissioned.

Abbott’s Mill Nature Center has grown from its humble 27 acre beginnings to include 483 acres of conserved lands all over Sussex County, including Blair’s Pond Nature Preserve, Isaacs and Isaacs-Greene Preserves, and Marvel Saltmarsh Preserve. Environmental education and public visitation programs at the site have reached over 35,000 people since their beginning, advancing the mission to connect people to the natural world.

In celebration of Abbott’s Mill Nature Center’s 35th Anniversary year, Delaware Nature Society has planned several fun, family-friendly events.

Patagonia’s The New Localism Documentary Film Festival begins at Abbott’s Mill at 7 p.m., Friday, May 20. The evening will feature environmentally themed short films inspiring people to think globally and act locally via surfing, trail running, climbing and more. This film festival is made possible with generous support from Dogfish Head Craft Brewery.

Tickets are $25. The night will include film, craft ale and food from the Taco Reho truck.

The inaugural Run the Mill 5K is set for Saturday, May 21. The race starts at Blair’s Pond Nature Preserve and ends at Abbott’s Mill Nature Center. After the run, visitors can enjoy a complimentary Dogfish Head beer, some post-race food, live music and see the mill in operation. Preregistration is required; the entry fee is $20.

Abbott’s Mill Nature Center’s 35th Anniversary celebrations will conclude in the fall, with Meal at the Mill Friday, Oct. 14. Meal at the Mill is a farm-to-table menu paired with Dogfish Head beer. The Autumn at Abbott’s Festival will be Saturday, Oct. 15.

For more information, go to www.DelNature.org/Abbotts35.