High on the wooded bank, suspended over rushing brown waters of Valley Creek, the old mill stands. Weather-worn boards, still bearing marks of a craftsman’s tools, still staunch in protection of the mill stones and empty bins within. And on the wide-planked floor, an occasionally shaft of sunlight dances fitfully,

withdrawing through cracks between the silvery lathes. Only the lapping of swift-rushing waters against crumbling brick walls below breaks the silence of years. And echoes whisper of days that are no more, of a lifestyle now history.

At 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, Kenan’s Mill awakens to life once more in a festival day that lasts until 9 p.m. in celebration of everyday life more than a century ago. Donated in 1997 by Elizabeth Kenan Buchanan to the Selma Dallas County Historic Preservation Society, the mill including the dam and equipment has been restored to an operating state as a living history museum.

No one is quite sure about the age of the mill, which was built by Zebulon Butler for the Valley Creek Community and acquired by the Kenan Family in the 1830s – or so it was assumed. Such assumption seem logical since the needs of the first settlers, in the early 1820s, dictated that mills be built along the creeks to provide families with flour and meal.

However, a letter written by James Kenan in 1861 to his brother in North Carolina states that “Our corn meal is but just finished and we are debating the question of putting up a flour mill.” Mrs. Buchanan says “perhaps James meant the old mill was being renovated; or perhaps Zebulon Butler built another of several mills which once existed on Valley Creek.”

Kenan’s Mill remains one of the most interesting historic sites in Dallas County. Restored in time for Kenan’s Mill Days of Pilgrimage 2002, the first bag of corn was ground into meal on March 16 of that year. Water again spills over the dam and extensive landscaping has restored the area to its native beauty.

Saturday’s Kenan’s Mill Day will offer a variety of music, food and children’s activities. A Cornbread Cook-Off is a highlight of Kenan’s Mill Day, with contestants bringing a dish which has cornmeal as an ingredient in any recipe, such as a casserole, dessert, fried meat or vegetable, tamale pie or cornbread salad.

Contestants are asked to make two dishes, one for the judges and one for tasting by festival visitors. Prizes are Lodge cast iron skillets and Kenan’s Mill T-shirts.

Guests are advised to bring an appetite. Food offered includes pit-cooked barbecue, Brunswick Stew, Cornbread Muffins and hot and cold beverages. Also available will be hot dogs, chips and pickles, if anyone might conceivably prefer that to barbecue.

Throughout the day music will fill the air, as played by Alabama Gravy Soppers, Southern Comfort, Highway 280 Bluegrass and Uncle Bud’s Lectrowood Experience

from the stage of the just-completed covered stage..

A variety of folk life and traditional arts and crafts will be on display, with some offered for sale. Admission is $15 with children 11 and under admitted free when accompanied by an admission – paying adult.

Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets, choose a comfortable spot and settle in to enjoy during either rain or shine.

Boy Scouts have installed benches at either end of the swinging bridge, a favorite with everyone, as is the charcoal kiln at the end of a path through the woods.

Meal will be ground in a demonstration of the renovated millstones. A few bags will available through donations.