Car Rental Chicago and the Graue Mill and Museum

One hundred and fifty years of history can be found at the Graue Mill and Museum in Oak Brook, Illinois. Located just outside of Chicago, this landmark attraction is home to one of the last operating Midwest waterwheels and gristmills. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places in May of 1975, the Graue Mill and Museum has both mechanical and cultural significance. Utilized by slaves during the Civil War era, the Graue Mill and Museum functioned as a key stop on the Underground Railroad, providing individuals with save passage into Canada. Three generations of the Graue family have operated the mill since it began production in 1852, grinding wheat, corn and other grains from local farmers. The Graue mill functioned as a major center of economic activity for most of the 19th century, but it wasn't long before modern milling methods rendered the facility obsolete. After years of uncertainty, the mill was leased and resorted by a local organization called the DuPage Graue Mill Corporation. The Graue Mill and Museum are now open during summer travel months, providing luxury car rentals Chicago customers with an opportunity for further exploration.

A Part of Our Past: Graue Mill and the Underground Railroad

The Graue Mill and Museum in Oak Brook is one of the last remaining authenticated Underground Railway "stations". Frederick Graue regularly housed slaves in the basement of his gristmill in order to help free them from a live of hardship and slavery. Located on Salt Creek, a tributary of the Des Plaines River, made the mill an ideal location for slave concealment. It is believed that Mr. Graue built tunnels linking the basement of his mill to other local hiding places. Luxury car rentals Chicago customers are encouraged to observe photographs, documents and illustrations depicting these tunnels in the exhibit "Graue Mill and the Road to Freedom". The exhibit also features an interactive section, providing luxury car rentals Chicago customers with a number of important resources on slavery. Structures like the Peck House in Lombard, the Filer House in Glen Ellyn and the Blodgett Home in Downers Grover were also used as holding places for transit slaves.

There's More to this Mill than Flour and Cornmeal

There are a number of exciting features located on the Graue Mill and Museum property in Oak Brook, Illinois. From the original family home to the function mill wheel, this charming institution provides visitors with a fresh look at old values. Luxury car rentals Chicago visitors are encouraged to wander through the complex, visiting important rooms like the Farmer's Workshop, the Victorian Parlor and he Pioneer Kitchen. Visitors can also watch the wooden gears turn as the mill grinds its way forward. Interactive learners will also be excited to note that the Graue Mill and Museum features a fun hands-on area, complete with vintage clothing and artifacts. Luxury car rentals Chicago travelers can even stop in at the Museum Shop General Store for special purchases and souvenirs. The Graue Mill and Museum also hosts an Antiques and Vintage Fair each year, providing visitors with a true "day in the country" festival. You don't have to be a history buff in order to enjoy an afternoon at the Graue Mill and Museum, so what's holding you back? Take the time to go back in time during your upcoming luxury car rentals Chicago vacation with a visit to the Graue Mill and Museum.

If you're interested in adding a little culture to your upcoming Chicago Exotic Car Rentals vacation, now is the time to contact the Graue Mill and Museum in Oak Brook. The Mill and Museum are open seasonally from Mid April until Mid November. Hours run daily Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 4:30pm. Admission to the Graue Mill and Museum is just $3.50 for adults, $3 for seniors and $1.50 for children. The Graue Mill and Museum is located just 18 miles from the heart of Chicago at the junction of York and Spring Roads. Luxury car rentals Chicago customers can learn more by calling 1-630-655-2090 or by visiting www.grauemill.com.