Park Authority

CONTACT INFORMATION: Open during regular business hours 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday
703-324-8700 TTY 711
12055 Government Center Pkwy.
Fairfax, Virginia 22035
Jai Cole
Executive Director

Colvin Run Mill Historic Site

Take a Turn at the Mill

Explore beautifully wooded and landscaped grounds around historic Colvin Run Mill and General Store.
Picnic, shop, hike, attend special programs and tour the 200-year-old working mill.

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IMPORTANT REGISTRATION NOTICE - SAVE ALL DATES!

To make things easier, camp registration will be split between two dates based on camp location.

2025 Spring and Summer Camp Registration Start Dates: Tuesday, February 4 at 9 a.m. and Thursday, February 6 at 9 a.m.

2025 Spring Class Registration Start Date: Tuesday, February 11 at 9 a.m.
Check the camp website for updates!

 

Upcoming Events

Jan
26
Maple Syrup Boil Down
11:00AM, 26, (6-Adult) The sap is rising and the maple trees are tapped. Now its…
Jan
29
CGS-Woodworker
10:00AM, 29, (11 to 14 years) Satisfies most of the requirements to earn the badge. See…
Feb
01
Queen of Hearts Tea Party
2:00PM, 01, (3-Adult) Bring your child to the mill and celebrate Valentine’s Day with…
Feb
02
Maple Syrup Boil Down
11:00AM, 02, (6-Adult) The sap is rising and the maple trees are tapped. Now its…
Feb
08
Maple Syrup Boil Down
11:00AM, 08, (6-Adult) The sap is rising and the maple trees are tapped. Now its…
Feb
22
Remembering Metilda - Growing Up Enslaved
1:00PM, 22, (14-Adult) Come learn about Metilda, an enslaved 14-year old girl who came…

Maple Syrup Boil Down

The sap is rising and the maple trees are tapped! Bundle up by our fire and learn how maple syrup is made.  Learn why trees produce sap and see how we collect sap by tapping those trees. Watch as the sap is boiled down to tasty syrup and try the delicious maple syrup on cornbread made with Colvin Run Mill grains. Visit the mill, the Miller’s House exhibit and the general store. Join the Maple Syrup Boil Down on Sunday, January 26, Saturday, February 2 or Saturday, February 8. Choose times between 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. This program is great for groups, families and children ages 6 and older!

Learn More

Colvin Run Mill is Fairfax County's award-winning, operational, 19th-century water-powered gristmill. The site offers recreational and educational activities for all ages through tours, school programs and special events. Admission to the park is FREE. There are fees for tours, programs and special events.

Colvin Run Mill Grounds are open daily dawn to dusk. You may walk the grounds and see the historic Mill and buildings from the outside.

The Mill and Historic Miller’s house are open on weekends from 11-4.  The historic house is a free self-guided exhibit. To see the inside of the mill, you must purchase a mill tour or grind day ticket.  Advance ticket purchase recommended.  See more information on our tours page.

The Colvin Run Mill General Store is open Friday– Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. All grain and teas can now be purchased in the store during those hours.  See more information on our Colvin Run Mill General Store webpage.

Field Trips

Instructor teaches children about grains around the world.

Scouting

Girl Scout sewing during a scout program

Volunteer

Volunteer sitting at a desk

Programs and Activities

Facilities

Connect

Colvin Run Mill Site History

Colvin Run Mill's Site History web page can be used as a guided walking tour of the park.
Colvin Run Mill's History

Colvin Run Mill, The Smithsonian, and STEM

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum teamed with Colvin Run Mill to create a video about simple machines for the Smithsonian's STEM in 30 project. Simple machines can be found almost anywhere. Let the video take you behind the scenes at both museums, and visit people who work with simple machines every day. 

Video

Colvin Run Mill and National Historic Preservation

Colvin Run Mill is one of the few preserved industrial sites from the 1800s. It is on the National Register of Historic Places, part of a program to support identification, evaluation, and protection of America's historic and cultural resources.

Video

Programs / Activities

Classes and Camps
Events in the Park
Field Trips
Historic Programs and Teas
On Your Own
Schedule Your Own
Scouts
Tours

Facilities

Colvin Run Mill HOME
Colvin Run Mill History
General Store/Recipes
Trails

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Hours and Fees
Contact Us
Park Location
Recipes
Friends of Colvin Run Mill
Heritage Blogs
Park Authority Publications
ResOURces Newsletter
Volunteer
Ask a Historian
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Fairfax Virtual Assistant

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