Historic Yates Mill County Park offers programs covering history, nature, agricultural and recreational topics. Public programs are open for registration to the general public.
Public Programs
Register for a Public Program
IN-PARK PUBLIC PROGRAMS
PARK TALES: For all ages (best for ages 6 and under); FREE. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment. Please arrive five minutes early for program check-in.
Park Tales: The Mitten
Thursday, Dec. 12, 10–10:45 a.m.
Join us to read Jan Brett’s classic book The Mitten, a whimsical story about a young boy, his white mittens, and the woodland creatures he encounters. Then make some winter crafts to take home! Best for ages 6 & under (with adult accompaniment); registration is required for all participants. FREE. Register here.
Hands-on History: How did people live while Yates Mill was operating as a business from the mid-1700s to the mid-1900s? These drop-in programs explore different aspects of life in the past.
Hands-On History: Whirligigs
Saturday, Nov. 23, 10 a.m.–noon
Join us for a drop-in hands-on activity to make a historic toy to experience life from long ago. This program will meet in the mill yard by Historic Yates Mill. Yates Mill Associates, the non-profit group that operates the mill, will also be holding a craft sale as part of its campaign to raise money to replace the waterwheel. For all ages; registration is not required. FREE.
Hands-On History: Ornaments
Saturday, Dec. 21, 1–3 p.m.
How did people live while Yates Mill was operating as a business from the mid-1700s to the mid-1900s? Join us for a drop-in hands-on activity to make an ornament to experience life from long ago. This program will meet in the mill yard by Historic Yates Mill. For all ages; registration is not required as this is a drop-in program. FREE.
Field School: Offered quarterly. For all ages (recommended for ages 7 and up); FREE. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment. Please arrive five minutes early for program check-in.
Check back for the next offering!
Yates Mill Ponderings: This wintertime program series offers more in-depth looks into topics of scientific and historical interest. Best for adults and older teens; FREE. Registration is required.
Yates Mill Ponderings: Bird Names
Sunday, Dec. 15, 1–2 p.m.
Some of our birds are getting new names in the coming years in favor of more descriptive names for identification. Come learn which birds will change and see if we can come up with our own names! Join our 45-minute presentation and feel free to stay afterwards for a Q&A with our presenter. Best for ages 8 and up. FREE.
Pre-registration is encouraged, though you can also sign up in-person for any remaining spaces on the day of the program. Register here.
Hike with a Naturalist: For all ages (recommended for ages 8 and up); FREE. Registration is required for all participants, and children must have adult accompaniment.
Hike with a Naturalist
Saturday, Dec. 14, 10–11:30 a.m.
Sunday, Dec. 15, 10–11:30 a.m.
Friday, Dec. 20, 10–11:30 a.m.
Join one of our naturalist staff members on a guided hike around the park to see what we can find! Come prepared to hike at least a mile by wearing close-toed shoes and bringing a full water bottle. Suggested for ages 8 and up; FREE. Meet at the park office.
Register here for the hike on Sunday, Dec. 14.
Register here for the hike on Sunday, Dec. 15.
Register here for the hike on Friday, Dec. 20.
Yates by Night: Offered monthly, April–November. These evening programs offer visitors a chance to experience the park in the evening. Suggested for ages 8 & up; FREE. Registration required.
Yates by Night: Sunset Hike
Sunday, Nov. 24, 4:15–5 p.m.
Have you ever wanted a closer look at the life that is waking up in the evening? Fall is a beautiful time to take a stroll outside! Join park staff on a guided nature hike around Yates Mill as the sun sets to see what we can find. This hike will last at least a mile and will be on fairly flat terrain. Suggested for ages 8 & up. Registration is required for all participants, and children must have adult accompaniment. Register here. FREE.
History Hike: For all ages (recommended for ages 7 and up); FREE. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment. Please arrive five minutes early for program check-in. Offered in December, January and February.
History Hike
Saturday, Dec. 28, 2–2:45 p.m.
Join park staff for a hike to the gristmill and to the site of the miller’s residence (which is no longer standing) to learn about the history of some of the people who have lived and worked on the land that is now a park. Learn about the old water mill, and discover artifacts that help tell stories of some of the people who lived, worked, or visited here. This program will be completely outdoors, so please dress appropriately for the weather. FREE. Register here.
Recreational Adventures
Recreational Adventures: Paddle the Pond
Wednesday, Nov. 27, 10:30 a.m.–noon and 2–3:30 p.m.
Learn basic canoeing skills and a bit about the history of the millpond, then head out for a self-guided exploration of many features of the pond as seen only from the water. Canoes, paddles and life jackets are provided (no outside boats are permitted). This program is dependent on suitable weather conditions and water levels. For ages 5 and up (with an accompanying adult); FREE. Each canoe can hold 1–4 people (800-pound total weight limit). Registration PER BOAT is required. If you only need 1 boat, please register just 1 member of your group.
Register here for the 10:30 a.m. session.
Register here for the 2 p.m. session.
Special Program Offered by Yates Mill Associates
Meet Santa at Yates Mill
Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m.–noon and 1–4 p.m.
Take a photo with Santa inside the historic gristmill during Yates Mill Associates’ (YMA) free, drop-in event! Volunteers will be available to take photos with your cameras or phone. While you wait, you can also make holiday crafts, play historic games, buy gifts from YMA’s craft sale and enjoy cookies (while supplies last). Due to limited space, entry will be staggered to allow each family a private moment with Santa. Available on a first-come, first-served basis. YMA welcomes donations at this event, as part of its fundraising campaign to replace the waterwheel. FREE.
Register for a Virtual Program
Virtual Programs: ecoEXPLORE Registration through North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. This online program is geared toward children in grades K–8 and their families, but all are welcome! You will learn about the ecoEXPLORE project during the program. FREE.
Virtual ecoEXPLORE: Mammal Round-up!
Friday, Dec. 20, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Show off your best mammal observations of the season and lets take look at what ecoECPLORE has found and what is still missing form our species lists! FREE. Registration is handled through the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences.
Become a Junior Park Explorer!
Do you like to explore parks and preserves? Do you like winning prizes? Our Junior Park Explorers program is for you! Learn more here.
Take a Self-guided Mobile Tour
Check out the Historic Yates Mill Mobile Tour and learn about the history of the 200-year-old grist mill, as well as the lives of the people who lived and worked in the area.
Self-guided Activities for the Family!
Self-Guided Activities: For all ages (adult accompaniment is required for all children); FREE. Stop by the visitor center anytime between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. to pick up nature journals, activity packs, coloring sheets, and more!
Exploration Station: These temporary displays are located inside the A.E. Finley Center in the exhibit hall area. Registration is not required. FREE.
Exploration Station: Cornmeal Carnival
Nov. 20–Dec. 1
Do you like to cook, but don’t know what to do with cornmeal? Do you like tall tales, myths, legends and history? Look no further! Come one, come all and see our Cornmeal Carnival Exploration Station to learn more about cornmeal. This self-guided Exploration Station will be available in the A.E. Finley Center from 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. FREE.
Exploration Station: Outstanding Otters
Dec. 11–22, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Otters are fascinating creatures with spunky personalities! Did you know that Yates Mill is home to a small family of otters? Come and learn more about them at our Outstanding Otters Exploration Station. Filled with fun facts and interesting information, this small exhibit will be sure to teach you something new! This self-guided table will be available inside the A.E. Finley Center from 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. FREE.
Self-Guided StoryWalks®
Join us for this fun, self-guided activity, which will start at the parking lot kiosk near the Visitor Center and end near the mill. The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. This wonderful program combines the joy of reading a story while also getting out and enjoying nature.
New to the StoryWalk® concept? Laminated pages from a children's book are attached to signs, which are installed along an outdoor path. As you stroll down the trail, you're directed to the next page in the story. The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. StoryWalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson.
StoryWalk®: "Box Turtle at Long Pond," Nov. 5–30
StoryWalk®: "Tiny, Perfect Things," Dec. 4–31
Everyone's Welcome
Historic Yates Mill County Park welcomes all visitors and affirms its commitment to offering programs and services that are accessible to everyone. We will make every effort to ensure that visitors of all abilities are fully included in all our programs and facilities. Check back regularly to see what new opportunities become available!
For questions about our accessibility resources or how we may best meet your needs in any of our programs, please contact the park at 919-856-6675 or yatesmill@wake.gov.