Arcola Mills Historic Foundation

Arcola Mills is the most important preserved natural and historic site on the St. Croix River

"educate, preserve and renew through the an emphasis on the arts, history, environment, and the human spirit"

Arcola Mills is the premier historic and natural area in the St. Croix River Valley. The 55-acre site, its riverfront, streams and historic buildings are held in trust by the Arcola Mills Historic Foundation (501(c) 3) for its preservation and for the community. Our goal is to foster stewardship in our communities.

 

WHY DONATE TODAY?  BECAUSE

• The mansion built in 1847 is the oldest and the largest surviving timber frame house in Minnesota.  This Home built 11 years before Minnesota became a state requires a lot of maintenance. Your caring donation helps us to continue to preserve this historical home and its history for educational classes.
• Arcola Mills is home to 9 different rare and endangered species.  One of the plants has only been found at Arcola Mills.  Your donation and passion for nature allows us to increase the population and collect seeds for planting elsewhere in Minnesota. 
• Arcola Mills's habitat restoration is ongoing removing invasive plants and replanting native plants and trees. This work has been underway for 4 years now.  Your generous donation will bring new life to the forest.  Making Arcola Mills a native plants environmental haven.

FACTS ABOUT ARCOLA MILLS 

• Arcola’s roots are traced to ancient use by native people who were drawn there by the river, the streams, and springs and were used for seasonal camps.
• The lumber mill built in 1846 was a hub from which lumber was supplied to build Minnesota and eastern Wisconsin
• The Village of Arcola grew with the increase in lumber business. The Village consisted of the sawmill, the mansion, blacksmith and carpentry shop, ship building facility, general store, school, homes for the employees and a livery stable.  Steamboats traveled to Arcola.
• The mansion and sawmill remains are listed on The National Register of Historic Places.
• The Arcola Mills mansion has only been home to 2 families in its 178 years. Built 1n 1847 by John and Martin Mower and secondly by Dr. Henry and Katherine Van Meier.

Our mission is to foster understanding and engagement in the environmental habitat of Arcola Mills. The preservation and historical stewardship of the buildings and property history, with our communities through education, volunteerism, leadership, and programing.

Your generous financial support is used to assist the Arcola Mills Historic Foundation achieve its commitment to protecting and restoring the natural and built environments for future generations.

Images courtesy of Carl Wegener, Karen Anderson Schulz, Dale Anderson, Merry Domke, Todd Kockelman, Shelly Nordin Livermore, and Ron Winch.  Thank You to these Photographers and Volunteers for capturing the beauty of Arcola Mills!