WELCOME TO
ESTABLISHED 1849
BEAR'S MILL
OPEN
Tuesday thru Sunday
11:00am-5:00pm
OUR MISSION
In April, 2021, Bear’s Mill became one of the Darke County Park District’s newest parks. The mission of The Friends of Bear’s Mill is to assist and support The Darke County Park District in preserving the historic structure and natural setting of Bear’s Mill. The Friends of Bear’s Mill remain dedicated in providing educational, environmental and recreational experiences for all who visit Historic Bear’s Mill. All membership contributions and donations are for the exclusive use of promoting and protecting Bear’s Mill.
ABOUT BEAR'S MILL
Bear’s Mill is one of the few operating water-powered mills in Ohio today. A rare historic landmark, The Mill is located on the eastern outskirts of Greenville, Ohio, along a peaceful stretch of creek side woodlands.
Built in 1849 by Gabriel Baer, Bear’s Mill’s grand framework is constructed of exquisite hand hewn timber beams that are nearly 50 feet long — without a single splice. Standing four stories high, grain is carried from floor to floor throughout the inner workings of the Mill by the power of the water that runs through the mill race below.
Bear’s Mill still grinds grain into flours and meals today, using the same cool grind practices as old world millers. Grain is carefully passed through the French Buhr millstones to produce a healthy, whole, minimally processed product for you to enjoy.
A new chapter has begun in the Clark Gallery at Bear’s Mill.
Visitors to The Mill now have the opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of art with price points for every budget from a growing slate of regional artists.
All purchased art will help sustain the mill, but will also help keep the creative spirit that Julie Clark nurtured throughout the years of mill ownership alive and well.
Art at the mill will be an ever-changing art market with new pieces added as art is sold. Stop in and enjoy this new chapter at the mill. We think you will like it!
MILL EVENTS
Christmas Preview Open House ~ November 23rd 11am-5pm
The Mill will be decorated and bursting with the holiday spirit, ready to welcome visitors for a fun-filled day of shopping in the Mill Store and Gallery.
The functional stoneware pottery from the Millrace Gallery potters, Julie Clark, Dionne Mayhew and Rita Wiley, is a year-round feature in the gallery at the Mill.
Take a guided tour of the mill, go for a walk in the woods and visit the Millrace Gallery in the barn next door. Spend time this Christmas season at historic Bear’s Mill enjoying the history and nature in this rustic setting.
Luminary Walk ~ December 6th 6-9pm
Nothing can beat a crisp walk in the woods on a candlelit path. Join us for this annual Christmas celebration. *Now included - storybook trail through the Mill
Soup N’ Bowl Fundraiser ~ Save the Date: March 8, 2025
Dinner, music, atmosphere, and take home a locally hand-crafted bowl.
What else do you need for a perfect evening at Bear’s Mill!
ONE TIME DONATION
Proceeds derived from sales in the Mill Shop and Gallery + individual contributions from visitors, community members and regional businesses provide the vital support of the preservation and maintenance needs of the Mill and the surrounding 35 acres of property.
Your One-Time donation will help keep the Mill, the waterway and property available to everyone for generations to come and allow the Mill to continue to be a living piece of agricultural history.
Donate through our convenient PayPal button below...
We appreciate your support of Bear's Mill
BECOME A FRIEND OF BEAR'S MILL
You can support our mission to preserve and maintain Bear’s Mill by choosing a donation level (below),
then call Bear's Mill to so we can welcome and Thank you for your support!
Your tax-deductible (consult your accountant) donation will help us
preserve Bear's Mill for generations to come!
BEAR'S MILL
$1000+ Gabriel Baer Legacy
$500 The Miller Partner
$250 Millrace Steward
$100 Mill Patron
$50 Turbine
$30 Cornmeal
Become A Friend of Bear's Mill
The Mill Store
Located on the first floor, the Mill Store at Bear’s Mill carries an eclectic mix of Bear’s Mill flours and meals, gourmet food items, coffee, teas, home goods, clothing, jewelry and unique gift items.
Specialty baked goods are delivered weekly to the Mill Store, including artisan breads from the Bakehouse Bread & Cookie Company, as well as delicious locally made confections and sweets that utilize Bear’s Mill’s stone ground flours and meals.
A long time favorite at the Mill Store is Bear’s Mill Private labeled jams and jellies, which are locally produced to accent the baked goods featured at the Mill. If you’d like to try baking your own recipe,
Bear’s Mill sells their freshly ground yellow cornmeal, whole-wheat cake flour,
whole rye flour, whole wheat bread flour, organic spelt flour and cracked wheat.
*Pancake mixes made with the stone ground flours are a favorite.
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VISIT THE MILL
We’re very proud of Bear’s Mill and love to explain how the mill really works, from our hydro-powered turbines to the cups and belts that carry the grain from floor to floor, right down to the final, healthy end product. We offer several options for tours of the Mill, depending upon the size of your group and the duration of your stay.
Bear’s Mill offers tours to:
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Tourism/Tour bus groups
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School groups
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Corporate groups
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Private groups or individuals
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Weddings & Ceremonies
CONTACT US TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR TOURS
LOCATION
We are located just a short drive away...
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5 miles from Greenville, Ohio
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21 miles from I-70 in Clayton, Ohio
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22 miles from I-75 in Piqua, Ohio
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31 miles from I-70/I-75 in Dayton, Ohio
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33 miles from Richmond, Indiana
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93 miles from Cincinnati, Ohio
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98 miles from Columbus, Ohio
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100 miles from Indianapolis, Indiana