Discovery Days

June 12 to August 30: Most Fridays through Sundays June 12 - August 30 (Weather permitting and with some exclusions)

Step into history this summer during Discovery Days at The Red Mill Museum Village when our historic site comes alive with interactive, hands-on experiences for all ages. Enjoy all this included with regular museum admission:

• Guided Tours of our 10-acre site and 18th- and 19th-century buildings
• Costumed Interpreters sharing the stories and skills of early American life
• Traditional Trades & Crafts Demonstrations: including blacksmithing, husk doll making & more
• Slow Stitch Sundays: Relaxed, drop-in gatherings that invite visitors to slow down, make something with their hands and share in the traditions of textile and fiber arts
• Story Mill: A magical space where families can create their own characters, invent their own stories and bring them to life through puppetry and play.

With a rotating schedule of engaging, family-friendly activities, every visit offers something new to discover. Follow our social media pages for the most up-to-date schedule and details.

Tool Tales in the ArtifactLAB

From 12-3 on the second Saturday of each month from April-August

If you've ever wondered about a specialty tool from your grandfather's workshop, an interesting one you found at a yard sale or simply want to learn more about the tools in your collection, this event is for you. Our panel of knowledgeable CRAFTS of NJ (Collectors of Rare and Familiar Tool Society of NJ) volunteers will be in the ArtifactLAB helping to identify tools from the museum's collection but will also volunteer their time to carefully examine the items you bring in, helping you uncover the stories behind them.

Learn about the origins of our tools and/or yours, who crafted them, where they were made, and the ways they were used throughout history. With decades of combined experience, they will also offer insights into the broader history of craftsmanship and how these tools fit into the larger family of hand tools.

Whether you're curious about a rare item or simply passionate about the art of craftsmanship, Tool Tales promises an afternoon of learning, sharing, and discovering the fascinating world of tools!

Bring your own discoveries, share your family stories, and deepen your appreciation for the tools that shaped history.

Rocking the Quarry - Summer Concert Series

RAINDATE: SATURDAY AUGUST 8TH!

The historic Mulligan Quarry has a long history of ROCK . . . this summer, we'll continue that tradition with rock music instead of limestone! The Clinton Music Studios Majors Band will be warming up the crowd at 6 each night with the headliners starting at 7 all for just $10 at the door.

Bring your chairs, blankets and dancing shoes. Picnic baskets are welcome, however we ask that you purchase your drinks here at this fundraising event. All proceeds benefit the Red Mill Museum Village.

Slow Stitch Sundays:

Bottlecap Pincushion Workshop

Sunday August 9th, 1-4 pm

Drop in on Sunday, August 9, from 1:00–4:00 p.m. for Slow Stitch Sunday, part of our Summer Discovery Days series! Local artist Arminda Barbone will demonstrate how to create adorable bottle cap pin cushions, and participants are invited to make one of their own to take home.

This hands-on activity is included with museum admission and is free for Red Mill Museum Village members. Supplies will be provided while they last. While there is no additional cost to participate, we kindly ask that you RSVP so we can plan for attendance.

"Stay Salty" Adult Field Trip

Thursday, August 13, 6-9pm

Before refrigeration, salt, smoke, drying, and fermentation were essential for preserving food. This Adult Field Trip invites you to experience the flavors that sustained generations of Americans through a build-your-own meal inspired by the late 18th century.

Gather around our "most elegant 18th-century charcuterie board" and create your own historic feast from a generous selection of rustic breads, artisan cheeses, house-selected pickled vegetables and an assortment of traditionally preserved meats, including salted pork and beef. Finish the evening with a taste of history: a rustic dried apple pie inspired by the one Laura Ingalls Wilder later described from her frontier childhood.

The evening also features a tour of the Colonial garden, spring house and log cabin as well as your chance to make and keep your own beeswax candle. Advanced tickets necessary for this 21+ event.

Greenwood Spoon Carving Workshop

Saturday August 15, 10-4pm

Greenwood Spoon Carving with Vincent Pettit

Date: Saturday August 15 , 2026 

Time: 10-4pm

Location: Red Mill Museum Village

Discover the heritage craft of greenwood spoon carving in this hands-on workshop led by seasoned wood carver Vincent Pettit. Using traditional hand tools, participants will carve a functional wooden spoon from a freshly cut piece of green wood while learning the techniques that have been used for generations.

This class is designed for beginners and experienced makers alike. Instruction focuses on safe carving techniques, proper tool use, and the basic skills needed to continue carving at home. Students will also learn about the essential carving tools and how to sharpen and care for them.

The workshop takes place in the covered pavilion at the Red Mill Museum Village and runs from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with a 30-minute lunch break. Thanks to the generosity of a local foundation grant, we have been able to subsidize the cost of this class and offer it at a new, lower price.

Class Size: Limited to 6 students for individualized instruction

Course Fee: $150 per person (includes all materials)

Additional Registration Fee: $25 for non-members (waived for Red Mill Museum Village members)

Leatherwork School: Drawstring Pouch Workshop

Sunday August 16, 1-4pm

Leatherwork School at the Red Mill Museum Village offers a small-group, hands-on introduction to the craft, history and techniques of traditional leatherworking. Designed for beginners, this single-session class combines practical skill-building with an appreciation for the materials and methods that have shaped leatherwork for generations.

Led by second-generation harness maker Gary Elsing of GJE Leather, students will learn the fundamentals of working with soft leather, including pattern layout, cutting and hand stitching. Using supple goat, sheep or deer hide (approx. 3 oz. thickness), each participant will create a functional drawstring pouch-approximately 6" wide by 9" tall-to take home.

Class Size: Limited to 6 students for individualized instruction

Course Fee: $60 per person (includes all materials)

Additional Registration Fee: $25 for non-members (waived for Red Mill Museum Village members)

Weaving School: Band Weaving on an Inkle Loom

Sunday August 23, 11-3pm

Weaving School: Band Weaving on an Inkle Loom

Learn to weave sturdy, decorative bands on a Louet Mini inkle loom in this beginner-friendly class with Andrea Holladay. Held in the air-conditioned Meeting Room at the Red Mill Museum Village, this hands-on class teaches students how to warp the loom in a planned color pattern, tie string heddles, create and change sheds, and use a shuttle to weave a narrow, warp-faced band.

The class will also cover maintaining even edges, correcting common mistakes, and safely removing and finishing the completed band. Students may create a strap, bookmark, or similar small project to take home.



Instructor: Andrea Holladay

Date: Sunday, August 23

Time: 11:00 AM–3:00 PM (4 hours)

Location: Air-conditioned Meeting Room, Red Mill Museum Village

Maximum Enrollment: 5 students

Course Fee: $75

Registration Fee: $25 (Waived for Members of the Red Mill Museum Village)

All supplies are included.

Mill to Mill Textile Fellowship

Fridays, ongoing

The Mill to Mill Textile Fellowship invites makers of all experience levels to gather in community and explore the rich traditions of textile craft. As part of Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026, the Fellowship honors the diverse fiber arts that have shaped our nation's cultural heritage.

The Fellowship meets most Fridays from 1-3 PM, alternating between the Red Mill Museum Village and the Hunterdon Art Museum. Participants bring any hand-based textile work-crochet, knitting, weaving, spinning, embroidery, hand sewing, lacemaking, or other fiber arts-and work side by side in a supportive, skill-sharing environment.

Members exchange ideas, offer guidance, and celebrate the creativity that emerges when artisans come together. To find out when and where the next meeting will be held, please email Curator of Education Robbie-Lynn Mwangi at educator@theredmill.org

Friends of the Red Mill 2026 Schedule

The Friends of the Red Mill is a volunteer-driven organization that supports the Red Mill Museum Village. The group helps with a variety of tasks, from staffing the museum shop and assisting with special events to volunteering on numerous preservation and community projects. Their efforts help ensure that the historic Red Mill continues to be an accessible and engaging part of the local community.

In addition to their volunteer work, the Friends of the Red Mill host free monthly meetings open to the public. These gatherings feature guest speakers, presentations, light refreshments, and a chance to socialize with fellow history enthusiasts. It's a relaxed and welcoming way for anyone interested to learn more about the museum and the mill's history.

Mark your calendars for the 2026 meeting schedule, and feel free to drop by-no RSVP is required for most meetings. For more details or to inquire about specific events, you can email redmillfriends@gmail.com