Butch Runyon, storyteller, songwriter, and musician extraordinaire, will perform at concert from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday.

Then a celebration on the grounds and inside the mill will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Activities will include a strawberries and ice cream social. Wander the grounds, view the Thunder Bay River from the honor benches, stroll through the Memorial Garden, enjoy the pergola. Come inside to view “Our First 10 Years,” share your memories on Brush Creek Mill’s booklet pages, view the World War II military exhibit by the Hillman Area Historical and Genealogical Society, shop in the River’s Edge Gift Shop, and enjoy a strawberry sundae in the River Room. Mill tours will be ongoing. Book of Bricks will be on display, so come find the ones you ordered. See who has been honored by a brick, and who has not been honored yet. Order your brick this week and it should be in by Applefest.

The mission of Brush Creek Mill is to celebrate history, promote learning and demonstrate environmental sustainability through a regional focus and a volunteer-based operation.

Brush Creek Mill works with the Hillman Area Historical and Genealogy Society, who shares their facility, to maintain a museum and house their collection. The “Video History Project” was developed to gather memories and personal stories of those who have lived in the Hillman, Atlanta, Lewiston and surrounding areas. This program gives Brush Creek Mill the chance to bring the past to life through recorded interviews, and to preserve the history of Northeast Michigan.

Courtesy Photos Brush Creek Mill will hold its 15th Anniversary Celebration Friday and Saturday in Hillman.

Many Brush Creek Mill members also work with the Video History Society, whose interview tapes as well as books from writers of local history are available to the public in the River’s Edge Gift Shop. The Mill offers a variety of events highlighting area crafters, writers, artists, and local historians.

Brush Creek Mill is a nonprofit corporation with 501(c)3 tax-exempt status, operated by volunteers.

“We are proud to say after 15 years that we still have no paid staff,” a press release from Brush Creek Mill stated. “Our volunteers tell us: The joy of being a volunteer comes from the pleasure of responding to a need, from learning new skills, and from the positive impact of BCM’s programs.”

The building is owned by the Village of Hillman and leased to Brush Creek Mill at no cost. The lease requires Brush Creek Mill to maintain the facility and keep it open to the public.

Why build a grist mill in Hillman?

The first grist mill was built on this site during the 1880s and served local farmers for over 70 years. Around 1980, this original building fell into disrepair and was torn down. The property was acquired by the village. In the mid-1990s local residents began exploring development possibilities that would provide both cultural and economic benefit to the community, and a mill design was chosen.

Music at the Mill is held every third Friday of the month, year-round, which gives musicians an open “mic” to perform for an audience. There is no admission fee, but donations are accepted and concessions are open.

Brush Creek Mill supports a yearly field trip for fourth-graders in Atlanta, Hillman, and Lewiston schools to the Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan and the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center in Alpena, an annual Christmas party, and mini-grants to area organizations who work with children, a number of school programs, and local recreation programs. The annual Christmas party offers a fun morning to over 170 children. Each child receives a book of their choice, a photo with Santa, decorated cookies, plays games, enjoys crafts, and receives a gift bag with goodies.

The mill is open year-round and offers a meeting place for hobbyists to gather weekly, socialize and share ideas in scrapbooking, card-making, knitting, etc. The mill provides a home for Brush Creek Writers and their annual Student Writing Contest, and Vickie’s “Keep Fit” classes. There is no admission fee. The mill is available for meetings, small parties, conferences, etc. for a small fee.

Brush Creek Mill raises money through donations, concession sales, gift shop, memberships, rentals and events. Brush Creek Mill presents yearly craft shows, and many other events monthly. For more information, visit brushcreekmill.com, or call 989-742-3469.