Chase's Mill 2026:Connecting Through Craft
Happy Spring!
Here at Chase’s Mill we are springing into action to launch the 2026 programs. The theme this year is Connecting Through Craft.
As we head into this new season, I would like to pull back the curtain on how Chase’s Mill functions. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we are run by volunteers connected to the Mill through a love of local history, water power, craft, or the vibrant community spirit we are cultivating here.
Four working teams, plus the Board of Directors, are composed of community members who accomplish much of the work of running Chase's Mill.
In January, each team sets their goals for the year and meets on a monthly basis.
The Community Programs team explores and develops opportunities for classes, lectures, and field trips for the year and works with the Administrative Director to implement the programs throughout the season.
The Outreach and Marketing team leads promotional efforts by producing newsletters and reports, and publicizing programs through mail, newspapers, social media, and tourist visitor centers.
The Facilities and Collections team provides on-going maintenance of the Mill, its tools and equipment, grounds, and historic collections.
The Finance and Development team focuses on the fiscal health of Chase’s Mill through fund raising, grant writing, endowment building, and legacy funding to meet MHHA’s mission and yearly plans.
These teams appeal to folks who like to be involved with the workings of the Mill year round and are drawn to the social aspects of volunteering through working on a team.
The Mill provides educational opportunities for school children.
The Mill actively creates opportunities for school children to come to the Mill on field trips and learning programs. As we grow in this area of education, we recognize a need to expand our volunteer support. For instance, in the last email, I referred to the Charlestown Middle School 8th grade class coming in April, May, and June for the third year in a row. About fifteen students with one or two teachers come each Monday morning for a tour and a woodworking workshop. This requires six adult volunteers from the Mill’s volunteer pool to support the children in this new learning environment.
CMS student uses triangular braces to make the square rigid.
Other ways to be involved at Chase's Mill:
Research and develop exhibits: We are currently putting together exhibits for the Mill. Volunteers who like to research and design displays can support the Mill in its mission to be a living museum. Some research projects we would like to dive into are: a history of mills in Mill Hollow, the machines and process of making potato starch, and textile fulling. In addition, we are creating self-guided explorations of levers, pulleys, simple machines, and horse power.
Welcoming visitors: From Memorial Day weekend through Indigenous Peoples weekend, we are open on Saturday and Sunday mornings. People stop by from all sorts of places to see the Mill and the water power in action. Our volunteers greet visitors and our docents take them on a tour. We would like to grow the number of docents who would enjoy giving tours of the Mill, along with others who would like to join the welcoming team for a couple of hours on a weekend morning.
Supporting public programs: On Friday nights during our lecture series, we have volunteers to set up and clean up the community room, assist with parking, and welcome folks at the door.
To support the teachers who offer classes, we have a volunteer steward. That person helps the instructor set up, tends to the participants or the instructor during the class, and assists with clean up. As a thank you, we are now offering volunteers who steward a class the opportunity to take a different class of the same length for free. Further information is on our website on the Get Involved page.
Caring for the Mill behind the scenes: Whether weed whacking the grounds, mopping the community room floor, cleaning the restroom, or taking the rubbish to the transfer station, we have opportunities for volunteers who like to help on their own time and put a little love into the Mill.