Saturday December 6, 2025. Both Santa and The Grinch arrived on a cold snowy afternoon to welcome kids of ALL AGES to a beautifully decorated mill. Hot Cocoa and cookies helped take the chill off. Friends of Heishmans Mill were pleased to welcome our guests, a special thanks to Santa Claus, the Grinch and the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program who collected toys for later gifting. WISHING YOU AND YOURS A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS !
UPCOMING EVENTS IN 2026
Annual Creek Sojourn SATURDAY APRIL 25, 2026
Annual Creek Sojourn 2026 , Saturday April 25. A 10 mile paddle in canoes and kayaks on the Conodoguinet Creek Water Trail. Boats are available for rent. The put in is the bridge on Graham’s Woods Road about a mile upstream from the Mill. After portaging around the mill and visiting the Mill’s interior, paddlers will complete the sojourn in 3 hours to N. Middleton Park takeout. See the Sojourn section below for more information and registration forms.
CONDOGUINET CREEK (Class 1 ) 2026 SOUJOURN HEISHMAN’S MILL to NORTH MIDDLETON PARK
We filled up quickly in 2023, 2024, and 2025 “History and a Sojourn? What could be better?”
All paddlers will meet at Heishman’s Mill 1206 Creek Road Carlisle on the day of the Sojourn.
General Information .
$30/person with own kayak or canoe.
A canoe or kayak can be rented for $25 with advance registration.
Watercraft type & Length_(e.g.canoe 17’)__________________________ or Rented (_____)
PFDs (Life Jackets) are required, and must be worn on the Sojourn. Shuttle service will be provided to all paddlers so you can have access to your vehicle at Heishman’s Mill at the end of the day on the Creek.
Post Sojourn Refreshments: Pizza and soft drinks served at North Middleton Park.
ANGLING ON THE CONODOGUINET
Saturday May 9, 2026 10 am to 2 pm. Introduction to fishing the Conodoguinet. FHHM Board Members are offering this free program primarily for young anglers, but all are welcome. We will have fishing equipment available. Bring the family and come out and enjoy the creek.
CELEBRATING AMERICA’S 250th Anniversary at Heishman’s Mill Friday June 12 and Saturday June 13, 2026
In coordination with America250Pa events, we will be holding two days of unique events at Heishman’s Mill.
On Friday evening June 12, 2026 TC Historical Consulting and Flavors of History , Glenn Mills, Pa will offer a colonial punch tasting entitle “One Bowl More: Making Beverages in Early America” . The manufacturing of alcohol in early america and specifically at Heishman’s Mill will be illuminated by these history experts and will include the tasting of 5 different early american “punches”. Pre registration is required so that we can prepare for this informational and fun small group event. Registration is limited to those over 21 years of age.
Annual Wilhelm Schimmel Carvers Expo- Saturday June 13, 2026 9 to 4 pm. Join us for a day honoring the art and tradition of the most famous of Cumberland County Carvers. While not many today are carving in the Schimmel style, his work has inspired many to start carving and to find their own niche with things like caricatures, birds, animals, Santas, etc. Carvers will be displaying their creations as well as selling these unique pieces of art. The Expo will also include 10 minute talks on a variety of subjects including Schimmel, his stay at the Mill and local history.
Friends of Historic Heishman’s Mill Completes a Structural and Interpretative Survey of the Mill November 2025
Our Consultants Tony Shahan and Rick Frunzi recently completed a very comprehensive structural and interpretative survey of the Mill structure. They provided very specific phased projects to insure the stability of the Mill in the future and to increase public and interpretive use of the Mill as an educational center. FHHM would like to thank the National Trust for Historic Preservation, The South Mountain Partnership and the Society for the Preservation of Old Mills (SPOOM) for their grant support. Thanks also to our generous local supporters who care greatly about preserving the history of our area. Details of the survey, structural sketches and a comprehensive Photo Survey of the Mill can be found on the page entitled Heishman’s Mill Structural Survey and Interpretive Plan
