Morningstar Mill was restored to operating condition in 1992, and it is now one of the few mills that still uses the original equipment and water source to grind grain into flour. The red building is the sawmill and the beige stone building across the water from it is the gristmill. Tours can be made to view this facility, as well as there are opportunities to view the mill during the set milling dates.This mill is also used to teach grade 3 and 5 classes about the technology and this old way of living, and there is flour that can be purchased by a donation from this mill.

This area is so beautiful that many people will come to this destination for picnics or will rent out the park for professional photography shoots. The water source used to operate the mill is called Decew Falls, and it is a stunning 22-meter-high waterfall, which is located behind the mill along the Bruce trail. The falls are perfect for scenic photographs and many people will swim in the water below the falls, which is stunning with its clear and exotic teal tint. You can wander the property to take in the beauty, and hike part of the Bruce trail or walk down to the base of the waterfall.

The Morningstar Mill has been an operating grist mill since prior to 1800 and the Decew house was built in 1808 out of hard limestone. "During the war of 1812-14, Decew House was used as headquarters by Lieutenant Fitzgibbon of the 49^th Regiment, and it was here that Laura Secord brought her warning of an impeding American attack" (Robson & Hutchinson, 1994, p.10). Between 1813 and 1814, the Decew house was a military post and supplied the military with ground grain (Robson & Hutchinson, 1994).

In 1883 the property was bought by Wilson Morningstar, and he operated the gristmill from 1883 to 1933. In 1892, a devastating fire engulfed the inside of the grist mill in flames, so it was revamped with the best new equipment at that time.

In 1943 Ontario hydro owned the Morningstar's house and wanted to restore it by making it into a museum (Robson & Hutchinson, 1994). This never ended up happening, so instead the building was boarded up and neglected. In 1941, Ontario Hydro purchased the mill and it has now been a museum since 1962 (Robson & Hutchinson, 1994). The Friends of Morningstar Mill volunteer group have also restored the mill, including the water-powered turbine, which is now back up and running after 60 years of not being used.

Free admission, but donations are welcome.

Milling dates differ per year. Please refer to http://www.morningstarmill.ca/ for updated information.

Hartig, J. (2013). Morningstar Mill. Vineland, ON: Self Published.

Morningstar Mill: Decew Falls. St. Catharines. http://www.morningstarmill.ca/

Morningstar Mill. St. Catharines. https://www.stcatharines.ca/en/experiencein/MorningstarMill.asp.

Robson, L., & Hutchinson, P. (1994). Memories of Morningstar Mill: Mountain Mills at Decew Falls. St. Catharines, ON: Slabtown Press.