School Group Tours
Group Tour of Wood’s Historic Grist Mill at Deep River
Available: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in May, September and October
Fee: $2 per student, teachers and chaperones
Grades: Grade 3 and older with 20 person minimum and 80 person maximum
Time: 1 ½ to 2 hours depending on age of group. Tours begin at 10 a.m.
Reservation and deposit: $20 deposit required at least ten days in advance by calling 219-769-7275
Tour highlights
In 1836 John Wood moved his family to Indiana where he built a wooden grist mill that he operated for many years. In 1876, his son, Nathan, built the current building and operated the flouring mill into the twentieth century. The grist mill and the neighboring Visitor Center, once a nondenominational church built in 1904, are an important part of the history of Lake County.
In the Grist Mill, students will learn how the Mill was powered without electricity and the importance of locating along the river. They will see the difference between grinding corn by hand using a mortar and pestle and the use of large grinding stones and understand the importance of the grist mill in a developing community.
In the Visitor Center, students will experience shopping for their own souvenirs in an old fashioned general store setting. Many items for sale relate to pioneer life. Non-shoppers will learn about early Indiana settlers by going through the pioneer area in the Indiana Gallery.
During the Outside Program, students will be guided on a short walk where they will conjure up their best imaginations to picture the area as it was when the Woodland Indians lived on this very ground. During the walk students will learn why John Wood chose this location to build his business and how an entire town grew up because of the grist mill. Students will be taught about the significance of the road running in front of the Mill and who traveled it when it was just a trail.
Suggestion to teachers and group leaders: Visit the Lake County Parks web page to learn more about what your students will see on their trip to the park. For an overview of the history of Wood’s Historic Grist Mill click on the YouTube video link from http://lakecountyparks.com/parks/deep_river_park.html
For reservations and more information about the Lake County Parks Call 219-769-PARK
Mon-Fri 8:30am to 4:30pm Central Time (Chicago Time)
Lake County Parks and Recreation Department Corporate Office
8411 East Lincoln Highway, Crown Point, Indiana 46307
Just west of Deep River WaterparK 4.5 miles east of I-65 on Route 30