A 1700s Grist Mill Comes to Life Sunday |
See the millstone turn at the Stover-Myers Mill |
Some of the best things to do around Doylestown are tucked down a back road.
On Sunday, Oct. 25, the Stover-Myers Mill on Dark Hollow Road in Pipersville opens for its last milling day of 2026.
From noon to 4 p.m., you can watch the old mill's gears spin and its millstone turn as it grinds corn.
Admission is free.
The mill sits in a 26-acre county park along the Tohickon Creek in Bedminster Township.
Its story goes back to 1784, when Jacob Stover bought the property and its grist mill.
He enlarged the mill in 1800 and improved it again in 1834.
His son Samuel took over in 1836, replaced the waterwheel with turbines, and added a sawmill that cut beams and planks until 1918.
Samuel's son-in-law, Christian M. Myers, rebuilt the mill in 1885 and added a steam engine and roller mills.
Flour milling ended in 1920, when competition from big Midwestern mills made it hard to keep up.
The mill carried on as a feed mill and local supplier until it closed in 1955.
Bucks County bought the property in 1967, and the mill was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
After a restoration, it reopened to the public in 2025.
Milling days are rare.
This year there were only three, in June, August and now October.
That makes Sunday your last chance this year to see the machinery actually at work.
It's a great outing for anyone who loves history, old machines or a good photograph.
The drive is part of the pleasure.
The leaves around Bucks County are approaching peak, and the roads along the Tohickon are a lovely way to see them.
The mill is also near the Cabin Run Covered Bridge, so you can add a covered bridge to your afternoon.
Parking details aren't posted, so if you have questions, call Bucks County Parks and Recreation at 215-757-0571.
Pack a jacket, take the scenic way, and spend a quiet Sunday afternoon with a true Bucks County landmark. |
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The photos you can get at that mill are incredible. Bring a real camera not just your phone if you have one.
Pack a jacket is good advice. It gets cold fast along the creek in late October.
So glad Bucks County bought the property back in 67. Would hate to think what might have happened to it otherwise.
roller mills and a steam engine added in 1885. That was actually pretty cutting edge technology for a rural mill at the time
the fact that it only reopened in 2025 after restoration means everything inside should be in really good shape
I live literally down the road and still have not been inside. This is the push I needed
noon to 4 is a good window. Enough time to grab lunch first and still make it out there comfortably
Christian Myers rebuilt the whole thing in 1885 and it ran for another 70 years after that. They built things to last back then
just looked this up and the road to get there is gorgeous. I might just drive out even if I can't stay long
it closed in 1955 and sat there until Bucks County bought it in 1967. Glad they saved it instead of building condos
the photos you can get here are incredible. Old stone building, creek, fall leaves. Bring a real camera not just your phone
I was a little skeptical but my wife dragged me to the August one and I actually thought it was really interesting. The gears are impressive.
good tip about calling the parks number before you go. I showed up to something similar once with no parking and had to leave
I dragged my husband to the August one and even he admitted it was cool. The gears are surprisingly loud
Adding the covered bridge to the afternoon is such a good idea. Two historic spots for the price of one and the price is zero.
Does anyone know if there is much walking involved or if it is mostly just the mill building itself? Asking for older relatives.
EdwardOFrom what I remember it's pretty compact. The mill building is the main attraction and it's not a long walk from the parking area. That said I'd call the parks number in the article just to be sure, they were helpful when I called about another park event.
Went for the first time last fall and the leaves were absolutely peak. Timing this Sunday could not be better.
Flour milling ended in 1920 because of competition from big Midwestern mills. Sounds very familiar to a lot of local businesses today.
the drive along Tohickon Creek in October is genuinely one of the best things you can do in Bucks County. The mill is a bonus
only three milling days all year seems like not enough. Would love to see them do more of these
my grandfather used to talk about mills like this along the creek. Never thought I would get to see one actually running
went to the June one and it was lovely. Small crowd, very relaxed, the volunteers there really know their stuff
parking situation sounds a little uncertain, wish they had more info on that before you just show up
1784 is wild to think about. That mill was grinding corn before the country was even fully up and running
the Cabin Run bridge is like five minutes from there so you really can do both in one trip. Totally worth it
I had no idea this place even existed and I have lived in Doylestown for 22 years. How did I miss it
free admission and fall foliage? Yeah this is a no brainer for a Sunday afternoon
Dark Hollow Road is such a pretty drive even without a destination. Adding this to the plan for sure
took my kids here in August and they were completely hooked watching the millstone turn. Definitely going back Sunday
I love that it stayed in the same family for so long. Jacob to Samuel to Myers. That's a real legacy.
kim_oaksRight, and Myers rebuilt the whole thing in 1885 which is no small project. You don't do that unless you really care about keeping it going. Pretty remarkable.
Three generations shaping the same property over more than a century is remarkable, and each one left a tangible mark, Jacob's expansion, Samuel's turbines, Myers's steam engine, you can almost read the family history in the machinery itself.
The Tohickon Creek area is so underrated. People always go to New Hope but this part of Bucks County is just as pretty.
Completely agree, the Tohickon corridor is one of Bucks County's best-kept secrets, and the drive along the creek on a fall afternoon is reason enough to make the trip even before you reach the mill.
My husband is obsessed with old machinery so this is basically his dream afternoon. Sending him this right now.
With live gears, a turning millstone, and nearly 240 years of mechanical history under one roof, he is going to have a wonderful afternoon, hope you both enjoy it!
Only three milling days a year seems like not enough. Wish they ran it more often.
Called the parks number last year and they were really helpful. Good idea to call ahead about parking.
1784 is wild to think about. That mill was grinding corn before the constitution was even written.
I grew up near there and had no idea it reopened in 2025. Glad they finally got it running again.
SusanT_PipersvilleI think the restoration took a while longer than expected. But better late than never. Would love to hear what it was like before it closed if you have any old memories of the area.
It only reopened in 2025 after a full restoration, so you haven't been missing it for long, and with milling days this rare, Sunday is genuinely the right moment to go.
The Cabin Run covered bridge nearby is gorgeous in fall. Good tip to combine the two stops.
Dave KowalskiYes! I did both a few years ago and the bridge is only a few minutes away. Make sure you park and walk across it, the creek view from inside is really something in October.
Took my grandkids in August and they were glued to the millstone. Kids love stuff like this more than you'd think.
Free admission is great. More county parks should do stuff like this.
RickB_BucksTotally agree. And it doesn't cost the county much to do it only a few times a year. Wish more of the smaller historic sites had programming like this.
The drive down Dark Hollow Road alone is worth it this time of year. Beautiful area.
Never even heard of this place and I've lived in Doylestown for 20 years. Kind of embarrassing honestly.
Don't be too hard on yourself, tucked down Dark Hollow Road in Pipersville, it's exactly the kind of place that rewards the curious, and Sunday is a fine day to finally make the acquaintance.
Went to the June milling day and it was so cool to watch. Definitely going back Sunday.
Patty M.How crowded was it in June? Trying to decide if we should get there right at noon or if it stays manageable throughout the afternoon.