Saturday & Sunday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.  Admission, Parking, Tours, Demonstrations, Live Music, Kayaking, Food/Beverage Samples...It's all FREE!

Find yourself in a frenzy of free samples...oysters, coffee, stuffed peppers, milk, cheese, wine, chocolate, cookies, ice cream, bread, jams & relishes, pancakes with toppings, and of course, johnny cakes.  Over forty vendors, including farms and businesses show off and sell what they do best.  Feast your eyes on a variety of local art...everything made right here in the Ocean State!  Visit with the alpacas, learn how to spin, meet local authors, and learn something new during our free mill tours.

Please bring a food and/or clothing donation to benefit the Jonnycake Center and Rhode Island Community Food Bank.  Free off-site parking is located at the Washington County Fairgrounds and Richmond Antique Center.  Free shuttle buses will be continuously running loops throughout the event.  Click here for vendor listings, directions and more photos.

Keeping Our Heads Above Water

In the end of March 2010, Rhode Island experienced a state of emergency when waters rose to levels that hadn't been seen in over 100 years.  In 1886, there was a tremendous flood of similar proportion that affected our village and destroyed the original mill that sat on the other side of the spillway/waterfall.  As a result, our predecessors' rebuilt the mill on the upriver side and continued to utilize the river's power.  Thanks to their intelligence and wisdom, Kenyon's Grist Mill was virtually undamaged during the recent flood. 

Unfortunately, the earthen dam and spillway, owned by Kenyon's Grist Mill suffered severe damage. Since it was reconstructed in 1886, undersized state bridges and waterways have been added beneath it.  These changes have posed problems for its stability in the case of severe high water.  As a result, the earthen dam became saturated, topped and scoured. Within 72 hours, Old Usquepaugh Road was washed out.  The dam and spillway's estimate repair is somewhere between $500,000 and $1 million.  To date, there has been no relief from the federal government.  The Rhode Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Conservation Service have been trying in every way possible to offer assistance.  Since the program requirements are tailored to non-profits, farms and municipalities, Kenyon's Grist Mill does not qualify. 

The federal government is assisting the state to repair Old Usquepaugh Road and the Route 138 Bridge, but not considering any improvements that would prevent a recurrence, given the same circumstances in the future. Over the past 2 years, Kenyon's Grist Mill had invested nearly $50,000 in maintenance and improvements on the earthen dam. The work that was done precluded its total failure. The stones that were installed at the river's edge during this phase still stand today, holding back the majority of the reservoir. The water has now receded to a low summer level, giving the opportunity to assess the damage and affect temporary repairs. Final engineering will begin next summer, preparing the dam for the next 100 year flood.

Miller's Tale

Traditional stone milling of grain is more healthful and considered to be an art, though it is not very lucrative.  This past winter, we invested in a series of very ambitious and creative projects to increase summer tourism and sales.  After attending the National Tour Association, American Bus Association, Educational Tour Conference, and the New England Products Trade Show, we created a second series of free and charitable events at Kenyon's Grist Mill, all of which were geared to give us a strong kick-start in the spring.

Due to the unexpected flood, many of our early season plans had to be cancelled.  Kenyon's Grist Mill was only one of the many businesses and families that were affected. Rhode Islanders were reminded that we are part of our environment that has its own rules which cannot be legislated or controlled. 

As the caretaker of Kenyon's Grist Mill, I feel very fortunate to be part of such an important piece of Rhode Island's heritage.  The mill and watershed have a long established history that dates back to 1696.  Although we no longer use the water to power the mill, the watershed provides irrigation for farmers and assists in preserving the properties owned by the Audubon Society of Rhode Island and the Nature Conservancy.  Kenyon's Grist Mill is still pursuing every possible avenue for assistance for the long-term preservation of this site. Local farmers are applying for grants to assist as well.  Thank you to our neighbors and friends who helped fill and haul sandbags, and others who have offered support.  CD Kenyon, whose grandfather owned the mill in the 1920's, gave us help, guidance and sand. 

Plants have grown and flowers have blossomed.  Just as the earth attempts to heal, grow and adapt, we must "go with the flow", continue with perseverance, loyalty and hard work.  Please support Kenyon's and our efforts, as we encourage you to visit the mill, attend our free events, meet us at a local fair, look for our products online or in our shop, and always remember to ask for Kenyon's products at your local store.

Sincerely,
Paul Drumm III