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The Graue Mill Museum: Taking A Step Back In Time By: Roseanne Pickering 14 April 2009 The Graue Mill built by Frederick Graue became operational in the summer of 1852. The mill continued to serve the farming community for another seventy years. The gristmill’s basement was also a hiding place for slaves on the Underground Railroad. Open from mid April until mid November, the museum is a living, breathing history lesson. Children still crowd around the old millstone as the resident miller delights young and old alike by demonstrating how corn and other grains were ground into flour for cooking and baking in kitchens from a bygone era. You can purchase a bag of cornmeal as well as jams, jellies and other unique gift items in the museum shop located on the main floor. The other two stories of the mill are filled with “settings” depicting what various rooms in a typical 1850 home might look like as well as a typical stable from the same period. In addition to the museum, there are walking paths that meander through Fullersburg Forest Preserve as well as a nature center loaded with information on local plants and wildlife. A ranger is on staff to answer your questions as well. Overall, the Graue Mill Museum and the surrounding forest preserve is a great place to spend quality family time connecting with nature and each other. There are picnic areas or you may choose to eat at one of the nearby restaurants. A pub/grill right next door serves excellent pub fare or a McDonalds just off York Road may be more in order if you have the kids with you.
Located on Spring Road just inside Oakbrook, the Graue Mill is conveniently accessible just off Ogden Avenue (Route 34) and approximately one mile west of the I-294/Ogden Avenue exit. Admission to the museum is very reasonable and in a day and age when all of us are budget conscious a trip to the Graue Mill Museum is something that can fit into just about anyone’s lifestyle. It has always been one of my favorite ways to spend a Saturday afternoon and has been since I was a little girl (a very long time ago!). See hours and prices list below: Hours Children 4-12 $1.50 For more information on the Graue Mill Museum, follow the link below!
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