Watkins Mill Association

Watkins Mill Association (WMA) proactively supports the preservation and living history of Watkins Woolen Mill State Historic Site. Watkins Mill is the last textile mill in the United States with its original machinery still intact. The Association promoted the Mill to be recognized by the United States Department of Interior as a National Historical Landmark, the National Register of Historic Places, a Clay County Historic Landmark, and a National Mechanical Engineering Landmark. WMA turned the Historic Site into a destination, restoring Watkins' Home, Mill, Chapel, one-room Schoolhouse and farm buildings. It worked. Watkins Mill is now the region's premier historic attraction. WMA is emerging from COVID-19's effects, which clearly presented challenges. Watkins Mill was one of four State Parks completely closed in 2020. Volunteers, the basis for successful operations, were deprived of the work they love, as Park and Historic Site access and events were necessarily cancelled. The Association met these challenges head-on, and began resuming popular group activities. Financially, we fought a good fight, maintaining strong relationships with Foundations and individual donors. Board Members universally contribute to WMA. Leveraging Phase II funding for the major Historic Site Restorations, we partnered with Missouri Department of Natural Resources, to draft the project's Memorandum of Understanding and Scope of Work, so bids and work can commence. During 2023 Watkins Mill began bouncing back from COVID-19, attracting 12,250 Historic Site Visitors and 266,946 total Park Visitors. We are pleased Volunteers are returning, up 18% over last year. They are bringing Historic Site Tours and Living History activities back to life. Volunteer participation allowed us to successfully host the Heirloom Garden celebration, Fall on the Farm, and Get Outdoors 6K Run. WMA is proceeding with determination to reestablish Watkins Mill as the region's premier historic attraction. In partnership with Missouri State Parks, the Association cultivates an 1870s non-traditional community venue which encourages historic, educational, cultural, and recreational programs. Visiting the Historic Site is like stepping into the 19th Century. Many of the buildings that Waltus Watkins built over half a century - including the family home and three-story woolen mill - are preserved to provide Visitors a sense of 1870s life. College professors and K-12 teachers often include Watkins Mill in curricula for its historical importance featuring entrepreneurs in frontier life, the Industrial Revolution and Civil War.