Standing tall on the banks of the Smoky Hill River, the McPherson County Old Mill Museum preserves the early heritage of McPherson County. The museum collects, preserves, researches, exhibits and interprets materials related to this heritage with special emphasis on the period from 1870 to 1910.

The historic roller mill operates annually during Millfest. Millfest is held the first weekend of May.

Designed by Ferdinand Boberg, one of Sweden’s premier architects at the turn of the century, the Swedish Pavilion is the only one of Boberg’s international exposition buildings in existence today and the only example of his work in the United States. It is also one of very few international buildings remaining from the St. Louis World’s Fair. When the Swedish government would not authorize the funds, Boberg volunteered his services and the building was built by popular subscription in both Sweden and the United States. C.A. Swensson, president of Bethany College was the chairman of the Swedish-American building committee.

At the close of the Fair, the Swedish Pavilion was purchased by W.W. Thomas, U.S. Minister to Sweden and Norway, and presented to Bethany College in Lindsborg as a memorial to his friend Carl Swensson who had died very suddenly in February, 1904. It served as a classroom for domestic sciences, library, museum and home to the art department for more than sixty years under Swedish born artist Birger Sandzen. Generations of students studied under Sandzen in this space and remember it fondly. In 1969 the Swedish Pavilion was moved from Bethany College to the Old Mill Museum and a partial restoration was completed. The Pavilion is used for cultural heritage events several times throughout the year. The building was entered onto the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. In 1976 King Carl XVI Gustaf rededicated the building to all Swedes and Swedish-Americans.

In addition to our restored 1898 Flour Mill and the 1904 World's Fair Swedish Pavillion. We have serveral other historic builidngs that have been moved in to the Heritage Square.

Our historic buildings can be maintained as monuments to our shared heritage. We can achieve this goal with the help of our patrons. Every donation is vitally important. Together we can preserve our historic buildings for generations to come!
1898 Smoky Valley Roller Mill
1904 World's Fair Swedish Pavilion
West Kentuck One Room School
1879 Kansas Pacific/Union Pacific Railroad Depot
Bethany Academy
Erickson Brothers Workshop
Blacksmith Shop
Sweadal (First McPherson County Courthouse Building)
General Store (Reproduction)

Group Tours are always welcome! We do offer special rates for group tours. Guided tours of the mill are available if requested at the time of booking the tour. Please schedule 2 weeks in advance for guided tours.

At the McPherson County Old Mill Museum, the staff and volunteers strive to provide educational opportunities to children. The museum offers a wide range of activities for school tours. We have designed our programs to help teachers meet curriculum standards. For most programs and tours there is a minimal fee involved.The bus driver and one school teacher admission is free. To Schedule a School Tour for your class - Call the Old Mill Museum at 785-227-3595 or email at oldmillmuseum@hotmail.com

Standing tall on the banks of the Smoky Hill River, the McPherson County Old Mill Museum preserves the early heritage of McPherson County. The museum collects, preserves, researches, exhibits and interprets materials related to this heritage with special emphasis on the period from 1870 to 1910.