You'll learn the history of America’s first gristmill, established in 1636 by Pilgrim John Jenney.  The tour is led by the “miller”, who explains his job, his tools, and the importance of his work during the days of the Pilgrims.  You get to see how the waterwheel turns the 2500 pound stone that grinds the corn.  You also learn interesting tidbits like where the phrase “keep your nose to the grindstone” and “earmarked” came from.  This was my favorite tour in the area…short, interesting, very informative.

While we were there the herring were running up the river used to power the mill.  They come up the freshwater river from the sea to spawn.  Standing on the banks we could see hundreds of them, all steadily swimming upstream.  The kids loved it.  Wish we could have stayed longer, but we wanted to see the Mayflower II and Plimoth Plantation before heading home.  More on that later…