Children's Museums

Graue Mill & Museum

Name: Graue Mill & Museum
Address: 3800 York Rd, Oak Brook, IL 60523, Oak Brook, IL, US
Telephone: (630) 451-3430
Rating: 4.7

★★★★☆ 4.7 (755 reviews)

📍 3800 York Rd, Oak Brook, IL 60523

📞 (630) 451-3430

🌐 www.dupageforest.org/places-to-go/centers/graue-mill-and-museum

Visit Website 📍 Get Directions

🕐 Hours

Monday	Closed
Tuesday	Closed
Wednesday	10 AM–4 PM
Thursday	10 AM–4 PM
Friday	10 AM–4 PM
Saturday	10 AM–4 PM
Sunday	10 AM–4 PM

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About Graue Mill & Museum

Historic Underground Railroad gristmill. Historic Salt Creek waterwheel gristmill & Underground Railroad stop with tours & a shop. The gristmill was built in 1852 and served as a stop on the Underground Railroad, combining industrial heritage with abolitionist history. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 755 visitors.

Quick Facts

Type: Historic Mill & Museum
Best For: All ages
Highlights: Working 1852 gristmill with demonstrations on milling, spinning, and weaving; hands-on summer camps
Admission: Free
Hours: Mid-April to mid-November, Wed–Sun 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

💡 Did You Know?

🏛️The gristmill was built in 1852 and served as a stop on the Underground Railroad, combining industrial heritage with abolitionist history
⭐The milling machinery includes four 1-ton French buhrstones, representing significant industrial artifacts from the 19th century
⭐The attraction offers free admission while maintaining seasonal operations (mid-April through mid-November) with regular weekend demonstrations
🏛️The site includes the adjacent Frederick Graue House, a 1850s Victorian home that provides historical context to the milling operation and era
⭐The museum provides hands-on demonstrations in traditional skills including milling, spinning, and weaving, with summer day camps for experiential learning

💬 What Visitors Say

💡Plan your visit for Saturday or Sunday at 2 p.m. to experience the hands-on demonstrations of milling, spinning, and weaving, which are key interactive exhibits that bring the 1852 gristmill to life.
🕐Visit on weekday mornings (Wednesday-Friday, 10 a.m.) to avoid crowds and have more one-on-one time with staff during demonstrations, since the venue is only open mid-April through mid-November.
💡Combine your visit with the adjacent Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve for a full day outing—the preserve is open daily from one hour after sunrise to one hour after sunset, offering hiking and nature exploration to complement the historical mill experience.
💬Take advantage of free admission and sign up for POPUP text alerts to stay informed about pop-up programs and special events, maximizing the educational value of your visit without additional costs.
💡Enroll children in summer hands-on day camps for an immersive educational experience focused on milling, spinning, and weaving—these go beyond typical museum visits and provide deeper learning opportunities.