Built in the mid-1800s producing mill, grits, and corn for over 100 years and also includes a 19th century brick charcoal kiln. It was continuously owned by the Kenan family until Elizabeth Kenan Buchanan donated it to the Selma-Dallas County Historic Preservation Society in 1997. Restoration is ongoing with the mill fully operational and open during special events.
Kenan’s Mill is a living-history museum. The main feature is Kenan’s grist mill which was built in the early 1860s and continuously owned and operated by the Kenan family for more than 100 years. Also located at the mill site is a mill house and early 20th century beehive brick kiln.
In 1997, the property was donated by Elizabeth Kenan Buchanan to the Selma-Dallas County Historic Preservation Society. The grist mill was fully restored and additions were made to the property which include meeting rooms and kitchen in the mill house, a swinging bridge across Valley Creek, bandstand/pavilion, and a red barn with restrooms.
In 2002, Kenan’s Mill was re-opened. It is now used during the year for special events including Selma’s Pilgrimage on the 3rd weekend in March and the Kenan’s Mill Festival on the 1st Saturday in November. The park is also available to rent for special occasions – reunions, weddings, meetings, parties and more.
Kenan’s Mill is located just north of Selma in the town of Valley Grande. The mill road entrance is on the east side of Summerfield Road (CR 37) approximately 1.5 mile north of Highway 80 at Selma. A large Kenan’s Mill sign marks the entrance to the mill.
(GPS coordinates of the mill entrance are 32.452295, -87.034290.)
