Most of the structures were built in the late 19th century and were preserved in the 1950s. During the summer Park staff and volunteers give demonstrations of traditional mountain crafts and folkways. The park also holds a variety of annual events, including Old Timers' Day, storytelling, a quilt show, Women's Work, Mountain Life Festival, sorghum molasses and apple butter making, as well as living history demonstrations. A half-mile north of the Mountain Farm Museum is Mingus Mill . A working mill, this piece of living history processes corn into meal using restored 19th century equipment.
Hours vary, but generally the mill is open daily in the summer and on spring and fall weekends.
History Lessons Go to GORP's Smoky Mountains section in the Destinations Forum for information from other travelers or to share your own insights on getting the most out of the Park. The turbine-powered gristmill used water power to grind cornmeal and flour. Its millrace leaves a lively creek and spills toward the mill under arching mountain-laurel. Stones used to grind wheat came from France. Cornmeal stones were of local origin.