Destination Thursday: A Heritage Festival at McConnell's Mill

The Eleventh Annual Heritage Festival will be held Saturday, September 27, and Sunday, September 28, celebrating the operational era of the mill (1852-1928). Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Kildoo Picnic Area. Admission and parking are free. Visitors to the festival will witness a Civil War Reenactment, a spinner, a spoon maker and other artists and crafters. Other activities include historical presentations, musical entertainment, gristmill tours, corn grinding demonstrations and a Native American Village and food vendors.Click here for directions.

McConnell's Mill State Park, Lawrence County, encompasses 2,546 acres of the spectacular Slippery Rock Creek Gorge. Built in 1852 by Daniel Kennedy, this mill operated until a fire halted production in 1867. The mill was rebuilt over the next two years and continued to operate under several owners for more than half a century. With the retirement of James McConnell in 1928 and sagging profits, the mill closed for good.

Thomas Hartman, grandson of former owner Thomas McConnell, sold the land to Western Pennsylvania Conservancy in 1945 with wishes that it be preserved for future generations.

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