Mabry Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia (2009)
Mabry Mill
Mill Wheel at Mabry Mill
Mabry Mill is one of the most visited and photographed spots on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is located near milepost 176 on the Virginia part of the Parkway. The mill area includes the grist mill, a blacksmith shop, sawmill, old cabins, and a moonshine still (not working). The mill is operated by the National Park Service.
There is also a small gift shop and a restaurant that serves a country-style menu. Brealfast is served all day and incudes Sweet Potato, Cornmeal, Buckwheat, Blueberry and Apple Pancakes. Breakfast is served all day. Lunch and dinner entrees include Barbecue Pulled Pork, Chicken Pot Pie and homemade Blackberry Cobbler.
Plume leading to Mabry Mill
The mill is still in use. The miller is always happy to answer any questions about the mill and the area. If you're lucky you might find someone working in the blacksmith shop.
When we first started going to the mill in the fall of 1973 a long time ago, there was a demonstration of making sorghum, but we haven't seen this for several years. In fact the sorghum pans are in very bad repair and probably couldn't be used. There also used to be other demonstrations of mountain crafts but they don't seem to happen any more. One thing that still happens is music and dancing on many weekends.
Music at Mabry Mill
Ducks at Mabry Mill
There are usually a bunch of ducks swimming around in the pond below the mill. They stick around until late fall--or at least the white ducks do. The kids love to feed them. The workers at the mill seem to treat them as pets.
The restaurant provides some good country cooking.
Mabry Mill taken 1977
Mabry Mill 1973
The mill just begs to have its picture taken. It's impossible to pass the mill without stopping to take a picture and wonder the grounds.
You can get an idea of the changes in the mill by comparing the 1973, 1977 photo and the 2009 photo.
The mill makes a good photo even in late fall after all the leaves have fallen from the trees. I think the mill makes a nice black and white subject this time of year.
Mabry Mill in Late Fall