HANFORD MILLS MUSEUM

Experience a Story of Innovation, Ingenuity, and Entrepreneurship

Experience a story of innovation, ingenuity, and entrepreneurship at a historic working mill site. At Hanford Mills Museum we offer insights into the past and lessons about the connections between people, the things they make, and the places they live. Discover the power of the mill and the picturesque beauty of the site. The museum is open Wednesdays through Sundays with guided tours of the mill offered four times each day.

View demonstrations of the 1926 Fitz overshot water wheel and historic water-powered woodworking and milling machinery. Following your guided experience, visit additional historic structures on your own and view an exhibition that explores the museum’s history. For children and their families looking for a hands-on, creative, and playful setting, our Learning Lab offers a variety of toys, games, and immersive activities

The museum has tables to enjoy a picnic, and a museum shop with Mill-made items, traditional toys, local products, and books.

Hanford Mills offers Exploration Days throughout the season. These special events feature additional experiences, exhibitors, and hands-on activities for visitors of all ages. Mark your calendars for upcoming Exploration Days on September 7 and October 5. Admission to these events is by donation rather than usual admission.

On September 7, the Metal at the Mill Exploration Day will once again feature the Dan Rion Memorial Antique Engine

Jamboree. Regional collectors of historic engines, tractors, doodlebugs, outboard motors, vehicles, and other machines will display their collections. Hanford Mills staff and volunteers will also display and demonstrate some of the museum’s historic engines and machinery, including the steam plant. Local vendors and exhibitors will be on hand, selling their locally made, one-of-a-kind products and providing information on their areas of expertise.

Woodsmen’s Exploration Day on October 5 will highlight our relationship to forested areas, from logging and woodworking to conservation and recreation. The highlight of the day will be demonstrations by the SUNY Cobleskill Woodsmen Team. Museum staff will demonstrate how they process logs into finished products in mill. Woodworkers, forest-related organizations, and local vendors will provide additional information, demonstrations, and products.

More information about Exploration Days, guided tours, and the historic site is available at hanfordmills.org or on Facebook and Instagram.

Hanford Mills 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. For more information, visit hanfordmills.org or call 607 278 5744.