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Plan a pilgrimage to Jerusalem Mill Village
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When you venture out to Jerusalem Mill Village you’ll discover a hidden treasure in Maryland’s history. Spanning over 300 acres and located at the intersection of Jericho and Jerusalem Roads in Harford County, this quaint and colorful village hosts several historic activities, historic encampments, battle reenactments, living history demonstrations and holds a well received annual concert series.
The tract of land that came to be known as Jerusalem Mill was first patented by John Walley and Nicholas Hempstead in 1687. Later the Onion family acquired it. By 1768 hired Quaker millwright, Isiah Linton, eventually purchased the land and buildings. Jerusalem Mill was a thriving Quaker village from 1772 into the early twentieth century. Gristmill operations were ended in 1961 when the last miller died and the State of Maryland purchased the grounds. By 1985, a nonprofit group called “Friends of Jerusalem Mill” started with objectives to restore the mill and surrounding buildings as well as to preserve and explore the rich local history.
Today, this olde-thyme, well-preserved village has been successfully restored and offers a variety of activities and venues to explore. Ever Sunday, living history demonstrations are conducted in order to educate and entertain visitors. Various eighteenth century activities are held in the blacksmith shop and Gun Shop. McCourtney’s Store and the Gift Shop are open the first weekend and third Sunday every month. Admission is free.
For the fifth consecutive year, Jerusalem Mill will hold its annual Civil War Encampment commemorating CSA Major Harry W. Gilmor’s raid across Baltimore and Harford County on the weekend of July 11 and 12. The raid was part of a plot to go against the B&O Railroad. Maj. Gilmor and 135 men passed through Jerusalem Mill, en route to the railroad bridge at Magnolia Station and stopped at the general store now known as McCourtney’s to stock-up on supplies. Various Civil War entertainments will occur in the Little Gunpowder Falls Valley including music by Camptown Shakers, Calvary demonstrations, nineteenth century photography, village tours, a nineteenth century exhibition baseball game presented by Chesapeake and Potomac Baseball Club, Civil War encampments and a reenactment of Maj. Gilmor’s raid.
From May through September, The Friends of Jerusalem Mill host a Summer Concert Series in The Meadow near the blacksmith shop alongside Little Gunpowder. Concerts are held, rain or shine, at 6 p.m. and last for two hours. Adults pay $7, members pay $5 and children under 12 are free. Snacks, soft drinks, water and other goodies will be available from the concession stand inside the blacksmith shop. The next upcoming concert will be on July 5 and will feature Baltimore area bluegrass band “Jericho Bridge” who got their name from a popular covered bridge at Jerusalem Mill.
Come out and plan a pilgrimage to Jerusalem Mill Village one day. Hours are 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. For more information call 410-877-3560 or e-mail jerusalemmill@yahoo.com. The web site is www.jerusalemmill.org.
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