Old Mill Days
at Bale Grist Mill
Step into 1846 and experience Napa Valley before vineyards—when wheat ruled the fields and the Bale Grist Mill thundered with harvest activity. Old Mill Days brings that era to life with hands-on demos, music, and family fun at one of California’s most beloved historic sites.
What to Expect
Stroll the grounds and join in traditional chores: woodworking, wheat winnowing, corn husking and shelling, butter making, apple pressing, hand sewing, and rope making. Millers run short, frequent demos inside the still-operational, water-powered grist mill, and you’ll find artisans outdoors showcasing fiber arts like wool carding, spinning, and lacemaking—set to lively old-time music. Kids can make corn husk dolls, try planing wood, wash on a washboard, sift flour, and play classic games.
When & Where
Saturday, October 11, 2025 & Sunday, October 12, 2025
10 AM - 2 PM
Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park
3369 St. Helena Hwy, St. Helena, CA
Parking
Day-use parking is available at the mill parking lot. Please follow event signage and volunteer directions.
Tips for Your Visit
Wear comfortable shoes, bring water, and plan for outdoor conditions. Food and drink available for purchase (including fresh-pressed cider while supplies last).
Get Involved
Love history and hands-on fun? We welcome volunteers and reenactors to help with activities, join the reenactors to bring history to life, greet guests, or play music. Sign up HERE.
