Today was another wonderful tour day at the Frankenmuth Woolen Mill, as we welcomed two busloads of visitors from the Midland area for a behind-the-scenes look at our historic mill and the traditional craftsmanship that still takes place here every day.
Our Makers Tour begins in our retail space, where guests are introduced to the rich history of the mill, which has been operating continuously since 1894. From there, the group is escorted into the heart of the mill — our historic carding room — where the story of wool processing truly comes to life.
Stepping into the carding room feels like stepping back in time. Guests have the opportunity to see the mill’s original carding machine, built in the 1850s, alongside its “newer” counterpart from the 1870s. Watching these incredible machines still operating today gives visitors a rare glimpse into the machinery and methods that helped build America’s textile industry more than a century ago.
The tour then continues into our tying and sewing area, where every comforter is still carefully constructed by hand. Visitors can see firsthand the craftsmanship, attention to detail, and traditional techniques that go into each wool comforter we make.
We conclude the tour in our historic attic space, where tables are set up for a hands-on dryer ball making session. Each guest winds their own wool dryer ball by hand to take home, along with simple “homework” instructions to finish the process at their leisure — a fun and memorable way to bring a little piece of the mill experience home with them.
We always enjoy sharing the history, machinery, and craftsmanship of the Frankenmuth Woolen Mill with visitors, and today’s groups made for another fantastic day at the mill.
Due to our mill being a true piece of working history, tours are by appointment only and dates and times are limited...
