The Arcadia Mill Archaeological Site in Milton, Florida represents the largest 19th-century water-powered industrial complex in northwest Florida. This site was the location of a multi-faceted operation that included a water-powered sawmill, a lumber mill with planning and lathing machines, gristmill, bucket and pail factory, shingle mill, cotton textile mill, and even an experimental silk cultivation operation. The Arcadia Mill complex also included many other structures and industries, which all came together to produce Florida’s largest antebellum industrial complex. To read more about Arcadia Mill, please click here.

Information and Hours of Operation:

Arcadia Mill offers visitors an historical experience as well as the opportunity to visit a unique wetland ecosystem. Arcadia Mill is located at 5709 Mill Pond Lane in Milton, Florida. After a trip to the Visitor Center and Museum, visitors can enjoy a leisurely walk on an elevated boardwalk through the archaeological remains of the mills, across Mill Pond Creek and through the swamps associated with this historic water-powered operation.

Guided tours are offered at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 2:30 pm.

Arcadia Mill and Visitor Center are open for free, Tuesday-Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

For further information, please contact Tim Roberts, Site Manager, at 850-626-3084 or email Tim Roberts. You may also contact Laura Heyse, Museum Educator, by email.

Educational Programming at Arcadia Mill:

The Education Staff at Arcadia Mill believe in bringing classroom lesson plans to life. Our lesson plans draw from Florida’s Sunshine State Standards for Curriculum Writing. All our programs emphasize historical, archaeological, and scientific awareness, as well as critical thinking skills. Arcadia Mill offers teachers several school program options to choose from.

**Lesson Plans and Tours are available for all grade levels.**

Planning and Scheduling Your Trip:

Step 1: Choose the tour plan which best suits your needs. Choose at least two possible tour dates and times. Please note that we only offer tours Tuesday through Saturday.

Step 2: To schedule a tour, or for further questions, please contact Laura Heyse, Museum Educator, at (850) 626-3084, or email her.

Fees:

Tours at Arcadia Mill are completely FREE throughout the entire year. However, group tours and school tours must be scheduled ahead of intended tour date.

Tour Lengths and Times:

All tours last no longer than 1.5 hours. Tours may begin no earlier than 9:30 a.m. and no later than 2:30 p.m.

Capacity:

All tours will accommodate up to 75 students or 3 classes per day.

Picnicking:

Arcadia has a beautiful shaded picnic area that all scheduled tour groups are welcome to use. However, education staff must be notified about your groups lunching decision prior to the day of your tour.

Other Educational Organizations and Home School Groups:

Other organizations are always welcome to tour Arcadia. The Education Staff will be pleased to assist leaders in choosing which tour plan is most appropriate for their group.

Tour Options:

Adventures With Arcadia Mill 1817-1855: An Era of Industry and Enterprise

This tour is a historical and archaeological tour of Arcadia Mill. Students will tour three different stations where they will interact with history and archaeology in a hands-on environment. Students will have the opportunity to become miniature archaeologist and dig in our mock dig box at our Outdoor Classroom, explore the historical and archaeological remains along our Boardwalk, and discover the types of tools that were used in our sawmill and textile mill at our Discovery Pavilion. Groups will also be given the opportunity to tour our Interpretive Center at the end of their tour.

Science in Nature 1817-1855: An Arcadia Mill Earth Science Tour

This tour is a historical and scientific tour of Arcadia Mill. Students will tour three different stations where they will dive into history and science in an active and hands-on environment. Students will have the opportunity to become miniature scientists and examine three important types of science here at Arcadia in our Science Laboratory, explore the history and science of Arcadia Mill’s Boardwalk, and discover the science and history behind the tools that were used at Arcadia Mill in our Discovery Pavilion. Groups will also be given the opportunity to tour our Interpretive Center at the end of their tour.