Arvada Historical Society

This is Mills. He seems to be the only permanent resident of the Arvada Flour Mill. He mostly hangs out on the thresher but has a nice tree too.

Food is scarce there so one day he was gnawing on the fence post. Not good! So, he is now being given a steady supply of peanuts and fresh water to enjoy.

Mills will be waiting when we open the mill at 10am today for tours. His peanuts may have to wait until after the 11am tour but he'll get some.

For a unique experience this morning, consider a Flour Mill tour. It is unlike any other building you'll see and has many stories to tell.

Tours start at 10 and 11. Hope to see you there!

McIlvoy House will be closed this Friday and Saturday, August 2 and 3, as well as next Friday, August 9.

The Flour Mill will be closed this Sunday, August 4.

Our dedicated volunteers will be out of town.

Please email [email protected] if you need assistance during this time.

We'll be back next weekend with McIlvoy House open on Saturday, August 10 and Flour Mill tours resuming Sunday, August 11.

Flour Mill tours today at 10 and 11am. Come join us!

What do these people have to do with the open house at the Flour Mill tomorrow (Sat., July 13, 2-5pm)?

They prove the shade provided by the pavilion in the back yard of the Flour Mill is a lifesaver!

Yes, we will have triple digits. Yes, we will raise the Arva-Pride flag at 3pm. And yes, we will retreat to the pavilion's shade to escape that blazing sun.

We'll have the kiddie pool out for cooling our hot peds and anyone who wants a quick shot from the hose will be accommodated. Lots of cold water, lemonade and some snacks should make this day downright comfortable. Or at least bearable.

Please join us at the Arvada Flour Mill as we raise the flag to show our Arva-Pride!

(By the way, that is the Jefferson County Historical Commission on a visit last year.)

We're joining in on the celebration of the city's 120th anniversary with our own special event - an Arva-Pride flag raising ceremony and open house at the Flour Mill. This takes place 2-5pm on Saturday, July 13, before Second Saturday starts. We'll raise the flag at 3pm.

Arva-Pride was the branding for the flour and other products produced at the mill during its operational years. We adopted the logo as our own since taking ownership of the mill in 1977. We believe that Arva-Pride is as appropriate today as it was back then because it reflects the pride that Arvada citizens have in their city. And the pride we all have in the historic Flour Mill.

We hope you will join us for this fun event!

It started out as a bench in memory of a dedicated historian - Nancy Young. We took advantage of yesterday's weather and turned it into a memorial garden. Another bench to come and some finishing touches. A lovely area to sit and enjoy the Flour Mill and pavilion.

Flour Mill tours today at 10am and 11am. We'll take you back almost 100 years to a life and town so different from today. And we'll show you how flour was made for so many years in our beautifully preserved Flour Mill.

Everyone knows what the Arvada Flour Mill looks like on the outside but have you ever been inside? Or, has it literally been decades since you have? We've got the remedy for that - Sunday morning guided tours to take you back to the first half of the 20th century when the mill was an integral part of the business of farming and Arvada's commerce.

We're open for tours tomorrow (Sunday) at 10am and 11am. We'll take you through the entire mill, explaining its processes against the backdrop of earlier Arvada. You'll also go home with a copy of "The Old Mill" by Lois Lindstrom, founder of the Arvada Historical Society.

Tours are $10 for all over 12 years. You can buy advance tickets at Carly's Boutique, 7401 Grandview, or at the mill (cash only).

Please treat yourself and your father for Father's Day and join us tomorrow morning.

This morning at the Arvada Flour Mill - steeplejack Todd climbs the flagpole at the mill to install new parts so that we can again hang a flag there! It was pretty windy but that didn't phase him at all!

The Arvada Flour Mill Museum will be open for guided tours on Sunday mornings, starting June 2, at 10 and 11am. Advance tickets may be purchased at Carly's Boutique or you can pay as you come for the tour. We'll show you how wheat was milled into flour in this incredibly preserved old mill as well as take you back to a simpler Arvada in the first half of the 20th century.

Tours are $10 each for those over 12. Complimentary copy of "The Old Mill" by Lois Lindstrom included with each ticket.

Come visit this rare and unique symbol of Arvada's past.

Note: we will be closed on July 7, August 4 and September 1.

It's Little Free Library week! Celebrate by visiting one of your local libraries to both shop for books and bring those you've already read. Our Little Free Library at McIlvoy House is repaired and stocked with many books, especially children's books. Drop by and check it out - 7307 Grandview. Also enjoy our garden and patio that volunteers have been sprucing up for the season. A lovely setting to thumb through books!

A BIG thank you to the volunteers who cleaned up the Flour Mill grounds yesterday, especially the Arvada Gardeners! It was a big job but they really worked hard and got it done!

The Flour Mill will be open for Lagniappe tonight! Stop by between 5 and 8pm for a rare opportunity to see the mill at night.

We love lagniappe!

Annual AHS Christmas Open House

Join the Arvada Historical Society’s end of year celebration with sweet treats and holiday festivities at the Holiday Open House on Dec 9, at McIlvoy House from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm

Join Society members and community guests for a relaxed afternoon with yummy snacks and beverages and the chance to win door prizes. Party with friends at the historic McIlvoy House and connect with passionate individuals who share in preserving the rich tapestry of our community's history.

Take time to check out our selection of gifts and books while enjoying light refreshments and friendly faces. Get to know more about the Historical Society and its contributions to the Arvada community.

The Holiday Open House is open to all members as well as all members of the Arvada community.

The Historic McIlvoy House is located at 7307 Grandview Ave, Arvada, 80002.

https://historyarvada.org/events/

New Chapter of Christmas Yard Sale 2023
________________________________________________________
Busy happenings in the Archives and Office at the McIlvoy House
necessitate a big change for our Annual Christmas Yard Sale.

We are happy to announce a NEW LOCATION!!
the Arvada Junior Chamber Foundation has offered us the use of the:
Arvada Jaycee Meeting Hall, 5640 Yukon Street
for our popular annual sale.

Come check out the sparkling ornaments and
festive holiday wrappings all new or gently used.
Drop by the Jaycees Meeting Hall during your Olde Town shopping trip on
November 16 from 4-7pm
November 17 from 9am-4pm
November 18 from 9am- 2pm
Sale proceeds benefit the Arvada Historical Society.
__________________________________________________________
Also, please consider donating your new or gently used Christmas items only
which can be dropped off at the Jaycees Meeting Hall on
November 12 from 11am-3pm
November 13, 14, 15 from 3pm-6pm.
Please no lights, Christmas ball ornaments, garland, lights, trees or yard ornaments.
Convenient drive up drop off available

Volunteers Needed:
Come and have fun helping us with this beloved community event.
Contact Catherine at 303-815-4154 to volunteer
and 303-431-1261 for general event information.

We will host a dedication for the bench that Cindi Kruetzer chose to honor Nancy Young after her death in November 2022. After Cindi's untimely death months later, we decided to include her on the plaque. It will be Sunday, October 15 at 1pm. Nothing fancy, just an opportunity to get together and remember these two fierce advocates for Arvada.

We will gather behind the Arvada Flour Mill, 5590 Olde Wadsworth Blvd.

It may look lonely in that area but we are planning to add a garden and other elements to make this into a special memory garden. We have a Go Fund Me page for those who wish to help us attain that goal and honor these two friends. Donations are much appreciated. https://www.gofundme.com/f/memorial-garden-nancy-young-and-cindi-kreutzer.

Members of the extended Tiller family visited the Arvada Flour Mill yesterday while in town for a wedding. The mill was donated to the Arvada Historical Society by Fred Tiller in 1977.

Fun to connect with them!

Interested in Arvada’s early history? Take a walk back in time as the Arvada Historical Society presents its 20th Annual Cemetery Tour on September 23 from 11am-2pm at the Arvada Cemetery.

Visit with influential Arvada founders and listen to members of the families Reno, Wadsworth, Swadley and Graves tell their stories of settling in the area and founding and growing a town called Arvada. All this takes place at the beautiful 160 year old cemetery that hosts so many of Arvada’s early settlers and a spectacular view of the Rocky Mountains.

For this family-friendly event, tours and presentations begin every 30 minutes, starting at 11:00 am, with the last tour beginning at 2:00 pm. Guides will lead each group to the highlighted gravesites, providing background of the cemetery and the early Arvada community. Comfortable shoes are recommended.

The Arvada Cemetery is located at 5581 Independence at Grandview Avenue. Tickets are $15-18 and can be purchased in advance at www.historyarvada.org at “Upcoming Events”. Tickets will also be sold the day of the event at the Cemetery for cash, check or charge. Children under age 12 free.

Memorial garden - Nancy Young and Cindi Kreutzer, organized by Karen Miller The unexpected death of Nancy Young sent our community reeling. Her goo… Karen Miller needs your support for Memorial garden - Nancy Young and Cindi Kreutzer

Time for a picnic!

The Arvada Historical Society is hosting the Annual Reunion Picnic at the Allen House Pavilion (11200 Ralston Rd.) on Sunday, Aug. 27, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Old Timers, Graduates and Non-Graduates are all invited! Bring a picnic lunch and beverage and enjoy the day catching up with old friends and perhaps meeting new ones.

Call 303-431-1261 for more information. historyarvada.org.

We want to be sure these two devoted citizens are memorialized with a bench and garden at the Flour Mill. Please help us fulfil Cindi's wishes and honor her at the same time.

Memorial garden - Nancy Young and Cindi Kreutzer, organized by Karen Miller The unexpected death of Nancy Young sent our community reeling. Her goo… Karen Miller needs your support for Memorial garden - Nancy Young and Cindi Kreutzer

We're hosting National Night Out at historic McIlvoy House tonight 5 - 7 pm. Come meet neighbors and first responders during this annual event that promotes safety in the community.

Target will be there to give out some goodies and you can enjoy a root beer float!

We are located at 7307 Grandview Avenue, on the corner of Grandview and Vance.

The Little Free Library is still not fixed, anyone out there that could take care of it?

Can anyone fix the door to our Little Free Library? It's completely unhinged. TIA!

Have you been to the Arvada Flour Mill lately? It takes you back to the world that existed almost one hundred years ago when everything was local, the community was small and tight knit and everyday life was much harder. The mill was a critical element in the success and growth of Arvada as an agricultural community.

The Arvada Historical Society is proud to own and display this unique historical asset in the heart of Olde Town Arvada. We offer tours on Saturdays 11am - 2pm and by appointment. Come time travel with us.

Mother's day is Sunday! These are so fun and people are having fun choosing! Come by McIlvoy House (7307 Grandview Ave) this Friday or Saturday, 11am-3pm to choose yours. Wrapped and ready to give to mom. $12 each or $10 for Society members!

Arvada Historical Society Board members accept a proclamation for National Historic Preservation month from Council Member Bob Fifer. The Society announced that it was being awarded the Norm and Ethyl Meyers Award from the Jefferson County Historic Commission and that the Arvada Flour Mill was being recognized as a Jefferson County Landmark. In addition, historical architect Deborah Andrews, who has contributed much to Arvada's historic preservation, will be inducted into the JCHC Hall of Fame. Well deserved!

Pictured L to R
Bob Fifer, Lisa Crespin, Karen Miller, Catherine Walter.

Thanks to all for helping clean up the Arvada Flour Mill yesterday. It was a great day to be outside and nurture our historic asset! Big thanks to Amy Eisentrager for directing us and to the Arvada Gardeners for the volunteers!

Clean up day and we need help!
We’re reaching out for volunteers to clean up the yards at the Flour Mill in Old Town on Sunday, April 30, 10am-2pm. We’ve got last year’s growth to remove, trash, raking and general sprucing up for the summer months. If you or anyone you know can help, please respond or just show up that day!
It’s a big job for few but a small job for many.
Please bring garden gloves, clippers, rakes, etc. if you can. At least gloves! We will provide refreshments and snacks.
Spring weather can be fickle so our backup date is Saturday, May 13. We will note any postponement on our website, Facebook, and phone message.