WATKINS MILL ASSOCIATION

OUR MISSION

In 1958, The Watkins Mill Association (WMA) was founded to preserve and support the living history of the Watkins Woolen Mill State Historic Site, the last textile mill with its original machinery still intact in the United States. Watkins Woolen Mill, located northeast of Kearney, flourished from 1860 until 1886, when the final cloth shear broke; they continued portions of their manufacturing until 1898. WMA has cultivated an 1870s venue that highlights quality cultural, artistic, and historical education.


WMA efforts assist in bringing over five hundred thousand visitors from all over the nation to Watkins Mill each year. The site provides important information about work and life in the 1800s, including farming, homesteading, business, craftsmanship, technology, wool yarn, and cloth production, and the history of the Industrial Revolution in rural Missouri.

OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Since its inception, Watkins Mill Association has been the Historic Site’s “Friends” organization – proactively supporting its preservation and living history. Major contributions include:

  • Arranging for Watkins Mill to become a State Historic Site and State Park, with support from Clay County voters.
  • Promoting Historic Site recognition (1) as a National Historical Landmark by the United States Department of Interior, (2) on the National Register of Historic Places, (3) as a Clay County Historic Landmark, and (4) as a National Mechanical Engineering Landmark.
  • Underwriting restoration and ongoing care of the Mill – including roof, windows, paint, and Mill equipment.
  • Underwriting restoration and ongoing care of the Watkins Home – including windows, paint, masonry tuck point, and front porch renovations.
  • Arranging return of most Watkins Family original furnishings to the Home.
  • Replacing the Home’s formal parlor carpet and summer kitchen wood stove.


  • Advocating for the Visitors Center and Museum to be built.
  • Recruiting Volunteers and hosting the annual Volunteer appreciation dinner.
  • Promoting educational opportunities and resources at the Historic Site.
  • Helping launch a cooperative project with the University of Missouri Master Gardener Extension Program.
  • Funding an Internship position in the Museum archives and contributing toward the purchase of storage to protect artifacts housed there.
  • Hosting the 1999 annual meeting of the Association for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums.
  • Providing seed money for the Visitors Center’s orientation video.
  • Funding ongoing needs – including sheep, Historic Interpreter costumes, processed wool, fabric and yarn for exhibits, as well as ongoing property maintenance.


Upcoming Events

    OUR GRATITUDE

    We would like to thank the following people and organizations for their roles in creating and preserving Watkins Mill.


    Taylor & Patti Abernathy Charitable Trust

    William J. Brace Charitable Trust

    Clay County Historical Society

    The Francis Family Foundation

    Henry Frass Family

    Forest Ingram

    The Kemper Family Foundations

    William T. Kemper Foundation

    Caroline Martin

    Betty & Byron McDaniel

    Means Living Trust

    Missouri Department of Natural Resources

    Lee Oberholtz

    George Reuland

    George Stilley

    The Sunderland Foundation

    University of Missouri Extension Master Gardeners of KC

    Voters of Clay County, Missouri

    Waltus Watkins Family

    Herbert A. & Adrian W. Woods Foundation

    membership makes a difference

    Join the Watkins Mill Association to preserve and support the living history of the Watkins Woolen Mill State Historic Site. 


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