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Bears Mill
6450 Arcanum Bears Mill Rd, Greenville, OH 45331, United States
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Ch
Review №1

Fun to visit and tour the grounds. They have a gift shop inside with some of the flours they mill. There are several stories to tour and see different artifacts.

Jo
Review №2

Very nice and peaceful county area. Great free destination for a little history and nature.

Le
Review №3

Neat looking place but theyve turned the inside into an art gallery. The art was cool but we prefer history.

Re
Review №4

Part of my childhood. Been here so many times,good memories here. 💜

Sa
Review №5

On our roadtrip around Ohio, a lady suggested to us this Gem of a Mill! I love historic finds and Sally inside the mill was so kind and helpful! She gave us information to do the self-guided tour which starts on the fourth floor. The mill is so well taken care of with a lot of interesting bits of history inside! Outside there was a trail that led to a covered bridge and a Vietnam Veterans memorial. We bought some fresh milled cornmeal to try! Loved this place!

Th
Review №6

Beautiful 1849, four story, operating grist mill in a beautiful area.

Ma
Review №7

Nice place with lots of history.

Ja
Review №8

Amazing little historical site. There was a calming air about the trails snaking around the surrounding woods. We were guided by the sound of rushing water, where they have built a Vietnam Vet memorial bridge and beautiful pagoda. We went on Halloween to check out the ghosts. 10/10 would recommend.

Ko
Review №9

They were not open when we were there, but really nice place for a little hike around some nice scenery. My moms knee has been acting up and she had a brace on but was still able to manage the short trail to the covered bridge area and back to the mill. If we are ever back in the area, we will definitely make plans to visit when open and see everything else they have to offer.

Me
Review №10

Fun and educational trip for people of all ages!

Ta
Review №11

Excellent history lesson and the story of the mill is so wonderful. Visited July 15th 2021. Would recommend anyone traveling in the area to stop.Bought corn meal from the mill and it made excellent corn bread.

Ja
Review №12

Absolutely Beautiful Historic Locations! Add to it the wonderful fresh baked bread and candies and its even better! Lets not forget the work of the artists!

El
Review №13

I absolutely love this place so much History and amazing snacks I go to the Mill just about every weekend highly recommend going and seeing all they have to offer walking the trellis and everything is so much fun

Ch
Review №14

So much history. Beautiful art. Lots of gift items

Ed
Review №15

There is a self guided tour that explains how the mill operates but most of the grinding is done early in the day, so we didnt see it in operation. They sell baked goods made from the mills output. They sell out quickly.

Sa
Review №16

Nice hidden gem . It was free to visit .I have toured other old mills but this is the best restored and nicest self guided tour of one I have been to .Make sure you go to the 4 flour first to start your tour of the mill then go outside to see the dam and walk in the woods very beautiful. The 1 floor has plenty of items to purchase if you want .

Ti
Review №17

Best mill I’ve been to! Luv the antiques and exploring the grounds. Glad I stopped in.

Ka
Review №18

Really cool place. Mill was interesting, about the same as any old working moll. This one has a walking trail to a Vietnam Memorial that was really nice with a covered bridge and small overflow.

de
Review №19

Beautiful setting very enjoyable place to see

Er
Review №20

Fun to visit! I recommend going on Saturday to see the grinding demonstration, and tour. ☺ Neat gift shop. Unique gifts, like local honey, jams, even baked goods made from mill product!

So
Review №21

This is an interesting mill that has a self tour so you can explore the different floors at your leisure. They have different exhibits on each of the floors and everything is labeled.

Je
Review №22

An education in history waiting to happen. Such a beautiful setting for an afternoon adventure.

Am
Review №23

Awsome staff..lot of stairs..this was a neat place to visit..the trail outside was mudding because of rain but it was great

Ch
Review №24

Cute little gift shop and quick walk. They sell breads from bake house in troy, coffee beans, jellies and more unique gifts.

Te
Review №25

It was beautiful. Although it was closed that day, we plan on going back soon.

De
Review №26

Very well preserved mill from 1800s.

gr
Review №27

Closed but neat exterior

Da
Review №28

We had a wonderful experience here! Amazing history and great staff!

He
Review №29

Nice place to take pictures

Bi
Review №30

This place was awesome.

Kr
Review №31

My husband grew up right near the mill most of his life and never visited it so we went and absolutely loved it!

Pa
Review №32

Outstanding, history, help a me d goods.

R
Review №33

A wonderful historic place to visit

Ja
Review №34

Love the historical structure.Especially LOVE that theres an art gallery in the 1849 building.Such a surprising and satisfying experience!!!

Ja
Review №35

Love the mill! No matter what time of year you go, it is always a pleasure walking back to the dam. Quaint shopping inside the mill.

Ca
Review №36

Just a great place.

Ph
Review №37

We visited this when I was little in the 1990s, it was a great time and I always wanted to come see it rather than amusement parks as a little boy. Now I want to make plans to visit again this summer. It is truly a fascinating place that mills amazing food products. Go here, do it. Now. But their product and support this amazing piece of Ohio History. What are you waiting for?

Ca
Review №38

Very interesting and lovely souvenir shop.

De
Review №39

Know for its great quality and some unique dishes. The bartenders make great drinks as well. Ambiance is good and they have interesting settings.

Ch
Review №40

Little gem that needs to be advertised more so those traveling thru the state can stop & see the history of this grand old mill. The structure is so well built, the mill system is amazing to see & hear , the lands are beautiful & great for photo ops. A MUST SEE

Da
Review №41

Very interesting piece of history! Mill was built in the 1840s and is still in operation today. You can take a self-guided tour, but they also have guided tours at times. Rescued, owned, and operated by the same family since 1978. You can purchase stone ground flours in their gift shop. Take a walk along the millrace to the dam; take a step back in time. Fun place to visit!

Ro
Review №42

Very interesting- an enjoyable visit

Ja
Review №43

Awsome piece of history. Not alot of buildings like this around. Worth the time to check it out.

Je
Review №44

Beautiful, unique, quiet, peaceful

An
Review №45

Really a hidden Gem. The lady that was running the place was very friendly and had alot of good information

Al
Review №46

If you like history this is a great place to visit. They have a really nice walk to the dam also.

Re
Review №47

Enjoyed the time we spent there. If you love old history check this place out.

Al
Review №48

Great place to do your shopping 🛍

Ri
Review №49

We have always loved this place. They have crafts from local artists. Plus the have events and demostrations.

Ma
Review №50

Well for one its historical, built in 1847, protected by the Union Troops during the Civil War. It still Mills flour and grain for cooking food. It has a wonderful walking area around the mill race to the dam where they also generate their own electricity.And there is a Vietnam War Memorial there with a recently constructed covered bridge across the mill race.The bridge was constructed the way covered bridges were build 150 yrs ago. And a fitting war memorial for those who never came home and to the ones who did.Stop in and see it its well worth the drive and the time to walk the grounds.

K
Review №51

Nice peaceful historical mill to visit. You are free to look over the mill and perhaps see a milling demonstration. There are several artistic displays. For a short walk you can see the Vietnam Memorial. Visit is free donations accepted. On your way out pick up a loaf of cinnamon bread

Se
Review №52

Beautiful side of the road stop with homemade breads and candy.

Ce
Review №53

Always a wonderful art gallery full of local artists creations. The soup and bowl event is spectacular! A nice quiet place to escape to.

Be
Review №54

Beautiful location with a great set of people running the place. They source all their produce locally and its actually milled at the Mill. Give their oatmeal cookies a try, you wont be disappointed.

An
Review №55

Beautiful old mill, so nice to see that they take such great care of this old Ohio landmark. Buckwheat pancake flour is pretty good. Nice walking trails to the old dam with a lookout onto it. Parking is close. Can self tour the whole 4 floors and view everything up close.

Ge
Review №56

Very nice. I love the recognition of our troops. Self tour of mill. Found it interesting.

bi
Review №57

Always a treat to visit this historic place. Today two excellent artists had works on display . I enjoy these visits immensely.

Ma
Review №58

Great stop. Good history with some art and pottery. Buy oats and grains from the working mill. Demos on Saturday at 2 weather dependent.

Br
Review №59

Incredible place that is worth going out of your way for! This 4-story mill, built in 1849, still produces flour. Make sure to stop by for a tour and also walk around the grounds. The owner is incredibly nice.

No
Review №60

Awesome working mill. We really enjoyed our visit. We took home several products like grits and pancake mix. Theyre awesome!

ja
Review №61

Great place to visit for family, even if your by yourself it still is a great place to visit.Very well kept, especially for as old as it is. Really beautiful at fall time of the year.

Ka
Review №62

Wow factor! Beautiful property, original Mill and art worth taking home.

Er
Review №63

Nice old mill with interesting history. The tour guide was friendly as well.

De
Review №64

Preservation of this mill is done with such love. This mill is still in operation. go check it .out

da
Review №65

Little bit of outdoors Little House on the prairie Mill style

Mi
Review №66

A historic gristmill built in 1849. There is a giftshop and art gallery on the 1st floor. They do allow self guided tours of the upper floors as well, and there is a lot of historic memorabilia and educational material about the mill. Outside, there is a nice hiking trail that leads to a veterans memorial and a view of the Greenville Creek.

As
Review №67

Adorable little shop with art, food products like popcorn and flour, and a lovely war memorial path and water feature.

Li
Review №68

Love this place!

Je
Review №69

Awesome People there to run it and Very Romantic & Family Oriented for All! Free Brauts, Hot Dogs to roast around a Hot Christmasy Fire and 4 different kinds of flavored Coffee with Christmas Carolors there tonight!👌💪💯😊 Fuuun People There!

Ca
Review №70

Great piece of history come to life. Awsome tour

Bi
Review №71

It is a very nice place, very unique. Im looking forward to going back to some of the events that they have.

Le
Review №72

Went there, last week for the first time in 25 years. I bought some raspberry bread that was so delicious and made at the square at a bakery in Troy Ohio. I love all the pottery and paintings.

Wa
Review №73

Great visit for the the whole family. Gather great history on Darke county or take a walk on the property for beautiful sites. Always a big attraction for photos. I know my wife and I have been several times just for great phtos!

Mi
Review №74

Interesting stop! Historic mill, sure to fascinate engineer types with its inner workings. As a bonus they do live demonstrations! Worth a visit.

Ja
Review №75

We enjoyed the tour of the mill and its interesting history. I made some corn pancakes with their flour and cornmeal that I purchased. It came out fantastic.

Br
Review №76

Interesting place to visit and the people were very friendly.

Sa
Review №77

Just love the history! Still operational.

Er
Review №78

This a griss mill with self guided tours. Free to the public...

Ro
Review №79

Neat place to go tour inside and out

Ja
Review №80

Very expensive thing for sale and not a clean restroom I give it two.stars because its nice

Su
Review №81

Very pretty area! Nice experience

Re
Review №82

Great historic site. Lots of information available to read about the history. Nice little gift shop.

TT
Review №83

Pretty scenery. Nice historical spot to visit.

ji
Review №84

My wife and I love visiting this historic mill with its beautiful short trails.

Da
Review №85

A great piece of history! Been here several times, but I still want to see the mill run sometime.

An
Review №86

Nicely preserved historical mill.

Jo
Review №87

Very cool and historic. Great trail to walk with excellent views

Cl
Review №88

Love this place! A great place to walk around in a piece of Darke county history and enjoy some art, coffee, a few sweets and other nicnacs

Be
Review №89

Great service and great gift shop 👍

Be
Review №90

Love this place! The candy is delicious. Unique crafts.

El
Review №91

We walked the small trail and sat at the fire pit area to hear the water. It was very peaceful to be in nature!

Pa
Review №92

Great place alot of history

Ch
Review №93

Very unique historical mill. They had a lot of antiques to look at, as well as selling bread, freshly ground coffee, art work, and more.

Du
Review №94

So beautiful there. Its a must see .

Tr
Review №95

Working mill. Cool

Co
Review №96

Got great pictures for home coming!!

Ro
Review №97

Love it there.. a lot to see and learn

tr
Review №98

What a special piece of history you have here .Love it will be back.

Fr
Review №99

Authtantic 1849 mill that is still in service, 3 floors of antique mill apparatus and other neat stuff to see.

Br
Review №100

Bears Mill site was established in 1832 when Major George Adams built a sawmill and subsequently a corn cracker mill. The present 3 1/2-story mill was built in 1848 by Moses and Manning Hart. The final completion of the building was done by Gabriel Baer, the new owner and an accomplished miller from Pennsylvania. The mill presently carries Gabriel Baers name but somewhere the vowels were inverted and today the mill is known as BEARS MILL.One of the few functioning gristmills left in Ohio, Bears Mill and the surrounding mill grounds are exquisitely maintained and graciously shared with the public. Privately owned and operated, Bears Mill is water-powered with two turbines located under the mills first floor. Measuring 44 and 30.5, the turbines receive water from the Greenville Creek. About 1/2 mile upstream there is a large concrete dam that creates a huge, beautiful millpond in the stream. Water from the millpond is channeled into a millrace that parallels Greenville Creek to the mill. Greenville Creek creates a 9 head of water at the mill. The water drops into and through the turbines and exits via a tailrace on the opposite side of the mill back into Greenville Creek. The 30.5 turbine has the date of 1862 cast in the crown plate. Both turbines provide 65 horsepower.The mill grounds are maintained so visitors can walk between the millrace and creek to see the dam and the sluice gate that maintains the water flow into the millrace.Bears Mill building is nothing less than spectacular. The exterior is covered with the original lap siding that Gabriel Baer put on the mill in 1849! Made from American Black Walnut, the siding adds a provocative nature to the old mill. The structure has an extremely textured appearance. The weathered, charcoal-gray siding, the small 6 over 6 double-hung sash windows, and the grain handling doors on all four levels, create a delightful experience.The interior of the mill is equally dramatic. The entire 3 1/2 floors are accessible to the public. It is full of antique milling equipment. The first floor has a line shaft that transfers the power from the turbines up to the three sets of French buhrstones and to the rest of the mill. The first floor also holds a generator that powers the lights for the mill store. The second floor is where the milling, sacking and barreling are accomplished. The original three sets of French buhrstones that were placed here in 1850 have been maintained and are still grinding today. There were five roller mills installed in 1887. Three of them are still found in the mill. Storage bins, a flour purifier, power transfer machinery (belts, pulleys, and gears), and sifting equipment are found on the third floor. The loft has the corn screener, scourers, aspirator and top line shaft. The winch hauls the grain up to the loft and is powered by the turbines. The winch is fully functioning and lifts the grain from the ground outside to the third-story loft with ease. All of the antique machinery at Bears Mill, whether it is functioning or on display as a museum piece, is excellently preserved. Bears Mill is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.The mill store, on the first floor, sells yellow cornmeal, whole-wheat cake flour, unbleached white cake flour, buckwheat flour, rye flour, bran, and pancake mixes. Bears Mill Pottery is produced by Julie Clark. Additionally, various types of art are on display in the Gallery area throughout the season.Now owned and managed by the Friends of Bears Mill.

Information
100 Photos
100 Comments
4.7 Rating
  • Address:6450 Arcanum Bears Mill Rd, Greenville, OH 45331, United States
  • Site:http://bearsmill.com/
  • Phone:+1 937-548-5112
Categories
  • Non-profit organization
  • Tourist attraction
Working hours
  • Monday:11am–5pm
  • Tuesday:11am–5pm
  • Wednesday:11am–5pm
  • Thursday:11am–5pm
  • Friday:1–5pm
  • Saturday:Closed
  • Sunday:11am–5pm
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