Charlotte Roth, 10, of Grove City, listens to Megan Stephenson, an environmental interpretive technician, talk about the history of the gristmill on Thursday at McConnells Mill. The historic structure opened for the season. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

Margaret LeViere, 12, of Portersville, stands on the scale with other home-schooled students on their trip to McConnells Mill State Park’s gristmill on Thursday afternoon. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

SLIPPERY ROCK TWP, Lawrence County — The gristmill at McConnells Mill State Park opened for the season on Thursday.

This historical landmark is available to the public from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays until late September.

On opening day, Megan Stephenson, an environmental interpretive technician, provided an educational tour of the gristmill for children, explaining its history and workings. Tours are available to visitors at 1 and 2 p.m.

The mill that visitors can view today is not the same one that was built in 1852. The original gristmill was a water wheel-powered mill built by Daniel Kennedy, and was used to process wheat, oats, corn and buckwheat. That mill burned down in 1867 and was rebuilt a year later.

Eventually, the mill was bought by Thomas McConnell, the state park’s namesake, in 1875. McConnell updated the technology of the mill by replacing the water wheel with water turbines and grindstones with rolling mills in 1885. Due to financial struggles and obsolete machinery, the gristmill was closed in 1928.

Although the gristmill has ceased operations, it is open to the public. Visitors can learn about the history behind the mill and park, as well as how this mill operated using natural resources.

Evan Powell, 11, of Grove City, listens to Megan Stephenson, an environmental interpretive technician, talk about the history of the gristmill at McConnells Mill State Park on Thursday. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

The flat-bottom boat that Mose Wharton, the longtime worker and caretaker of McConnells Mill, used to make repairs to the dam is on display on Thursday during the opening day of the mill. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

Megan Stephenson, an environmental interpretive technician, holds up a photo of Thomas McConnell on Thursday at the gristmill at McConnells Mill State Park during a tour for home-schooled students visiting the mill on its opening day of the season. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

The McConnells Mill State Park gristmill opened for the season on Thursday. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

Megan Stephenson, an environmental interpretive technician, talks Thursday about the scale that was used at the McConnells Mill State Park gristmill and is still operational today. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

Some products that used to be made by the gristmill are on display at McConnells Mill. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

A large bin scale on the second floor at the gristmill at McConnells Mill State Park is on display Thursday, when the site opened for the season. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle