About Us

Our Story

In 1985 a handful of concerned local residents formed the Friends of Jerusalem Mill (FOJM) as a 501(c)(3) volunteer organization to save the Village’s historic structures and keep alive the heritage and traditions that form our common bonds and our deepest roots. Now, amid the pristine scenery of the Gunpowder Falls State Park, the Village bustles with activity as a history destination.

Our Vision

The Friends of Jerusalem Mill envision a society that values the role that history plays in our understanding of the human experience and one which is committed to both preserving and exploring the past as a means to forge a better future.

Our Mission

The Mission of the Friends of Jerusalem Mill is to inspire the public to engage in our shared history through the exploration and preservation of the history of Jerusalem Mill Village and the surrounding Little Gunpowder Falls Valley, from its prehistoric origins to 1961. We achieve this by working in cooperation with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to preserve, protect, restore, research, collect and interpret the Village’s historical, cultural, environmental, and natural resources, while providing creative educational opportunities for all ages.

Our History - Video Links

Learn more about the history, founders, buildings and people of Jerusalem Mill by watching the following video clips!

Grist Mills of Harford County
Visit the link below to view a fascinating program by the Harford Cable Network featuring the Grist Mills of Harford County. Jerusalem Mill Village is highlighted for the first 10 minutes of the program. The song sung in the introduction is the “Jerusalem Mill Song”. We’re sure you will recognize the tune. https://youtu.be/HRJq9Y-qMvM

Drone Footage
Visit this link to see our historic village and its buildings filmed using a drone! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNN4tqcXewM

Documentary
Dive a little deeper into the beginnings of Historic Jerusalem Mill Village from its founders, its evolution, its thriving businesses and eventual restoration and preservation by the Friends of Jerusalem Mill. Thanks to Eagle Scout Brad Ensor for this film. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqdMHlj0c3c

Jericho Covered Bridge
Watch Marty Bass of WJZ interview Rich Albright, Curator and Betsy Keithly, President of the Friends of Jerusalem Mill and reveal the history of this preserved covered bridge, one of only three remaining functioning covered bridges in the state of Maryland. Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk9o2RtzLwI and Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qD4MZwAMUzs

Jousting
Marty Bass of WJZ covers the Official State Sport of Maryland - Jousting. He interviews the president and past president of the Amateur Jousting Club of Maryland and shows members practicing their sport on our jousting field that sits behind the Bank Barn. Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4w3DymO9yI Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzkiPPo6PtA Part 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NfnNnJKqbk

Our Members

Along with an impressive array of programs and events designed to engage the community in our shared history, FOJM offers unlimited opportunities for individuals, families, businesses, and other non-profits to help sustain the Village into the near and distant future by becoming members. We offer our members discounts on admission to concerts and other events in the Village, on purchases in the gift shop, and on guided walking tours. Members can also attend our meetings and vote on business matters. They also receive a free subscription to our quarterly newsletter, the Gristmill Gazette.

To become a member, click on the “Membership” link.