The Old Mill American Made Trail
American Made is truly at the heart of The Old Mill. We’ve been proudly making our own products from the very beginning, a value started here in 1830. That means local craftsmen and artisans have an opportunity to turn out the very best they can every single day. It’s how Pigeon Forge was built and how we will survive well into the future.
Our old grist mill still operates as it did in 1830, grinding locally grown TN corn, that’s non-gmo. Our millers are carrying on a trade that very few can call their own. In fact, they’re part of only a handful that have done so here at The Old Mill. The mill has always been privately owned, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, another distinction that is authentically American.
Potters in the Pigeon River Pottery craft functional and beautiful pieces of art daily, using clay that is harvested from the region and mixed to our specifications. All of our glazes are developed and mixed in-studio, using many local elements. And the inspiration for many pieces and glaze colors come from the trails, areas, and flora from the Smoky Mountains. You will also see throwers who have developed their skills right here in our studio. Something the original pottery that started here in 1946, as the 1st tourist-based business, also did.
Our Candy Kitchen makers produce hundreds of pounds of taffy and fudge each week, as well as brittle, pralines, caramel and more. They use traditional and family recipes and methods to produce small batches of candy, so what we offer is always fresh. It’s what we would do for our families, and yours is no different to us. In our Farmhouse Kitchen we make jams, jellies, and preserves from scratch in copper kettles. Working with local farmers to grow berries and fruits needed for our Heritage Line, it’s the way families in the Great Smoky Mountains have made them for generations. When we get the berries and fruits in, we get them in the jar within a day to preserve the fresh flavor. In our Old Mill Creamery, we make dozens of flavors and varieties of ice cream and treats that are slow churned and blended a bucket at a time. It’s a treat that families from all over enjoy all year long.
But we don’t stop there, after all we do call ourselves the Purveyors Of All Things Good! Our buyers search out local artisans, regional craftsmen, and the greatest American makers they can from across America. And they not only look for American made when possible, they look for makers that apply similar values and standards so that we know we are helping support not just a business, but a community such as our own.
As we celebrate an All American Summer here at The Old Mill, we will highlight what we’re identifying as “Proudly American Made” and it will be part of our American Made Trail across The Old Mill. You will see the icon below, marking products that we assure you are Proudly American Made, so you too know you are supporting our artists, craftsmen, associates, and our entire Old Mill Family, as well as families across the good ole USA!