BRENEMAN-TURNER MILL
Come tour the historic Breneman-Turner Mill just north of Harrisonburg, VA on the 4th Saturday of every month from May through October! Explore the only pre-Civil War mill remaining in Rockingham County with all its grist mill equipment still in place. Corn-grinding demonstrations and tours run from 10 AM to 3 PM. Suggested donation per visitor is $5.
Please note: given that pandemic restrictions in Virginia have been lifted, an appointment is no longer necessary to tour the mill during Open House hours.
Visitors are welcome to walk around the Mill at any time. It is located 3 miles north of Harrisonburg, VA, just off Route 42 (Harpine Hwy) at the corner of Brenneman Church Road and Turners Mill Lane. (Address: 5001 Turners Mill Lane, Harrisonburg, VA 22802)
This historic landmark was built ca. 1800 on Linville Creek by Abraham Breneman, who migrated from Pennsylvania in 1770. Due to its essential role in grinding grain into flour, hominy, and feed for cattle, the water-powered mill served as a center for community life during pioneer days. The mill is the only pre-Civil War mill remaining in Rockingham County with all its grist mill equipment still in place; neighbors helped put out fires set to the mill during General Sheridan's 1864 campaign. The mill's most recent owner, J. Howard Turner, operated the mill from 1933 to 1988 and envisioned it as a place where future generations could learn about milling and see the process.
Historical Designations
In 2006, the Breneman-Turner Mill was authenticated as a prime historical property, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and designated as a Virginia Historical Landmark. In 2010, it was added to the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District as a Civil War tour site.
Use the form below to schedule a visit, request more information, or tell us what you love about the mill.