The Boyhood of John Muir: Q&A with the director

In 1996, Florentine Films/Hott Productions visited the Old Schwamb Mill to film scenes for the dramatic film THE BOYHOOD OF JOHN MUIR. The Mill’s nineteenth-century building and working machinery worked perfectly to capture crucial experiences in the life of the future environmentalist.

Join us on Saturday, April 25, 2026, 1:00-4:00pm for a screening of THE BOYHOOD OF JOHN MUIR followed by questions and answers with film-maker Lawrence Hott. Learn how actors, writers, set designers, camera and sound crew, and even the Mill’s own master turner David Graf helped bring Muir’s story to life.

“The Boyhood of John Muir” tells the early story of Scottish emigrant John Muir, known today as the founder of Yosemite National Park and the Sierra Club, and as America’s first environmentalist. THE BOYHOOD OF JOHN MUIR is a compelling look at the early life of America’s first great spokesman for wilderness.

It’s a story of immigration, of family conflict and of personal discovery. Set in the landscape of nineteenth-century Wisconsin, with stunning cinematography, a dramatic musical score, and brilliant performances, the story takes John from his early days on a hard scrabble farm, to his ingenious mechanical inventions, and his subsequent employment as a factory foreman. An accident nearly kills him, but causes him to reflect on his life, and chart a new course for his future.

Filmmakers Lawrence Hott and Diane Garey began working together in 1978, as members of the Florentine Films consortium. They formed Florentine Films/Hott Productions in 1981. They produced two dozen films for national PBS broadcast as well as several productions for web and educational distribution. Their awards include an Emmy, two Academy Award nominations, a duPont -Columbia Journalism Award, the Erik Barnouw History Award, the George Foster Peabody Award, five American Film Festival Blue Ribbons, and 14 CINE Golden Eagles. Their films have been broadcast internationally and have been presented in special programs in Canada, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Algeria, Great Britain and Vietnam. Diane Garey passed away in 2021.

Family Day: Celebrate Patriots Day at the Jason Russell House

FAMILY DAY POSTPONED: SEE HERE FOR UPDATES SOON (04/20/26)

The Old Schwamb Mill invites families and community members to celebrate Patriots’ Day with a special Family Day on Sunday, April 19, from 11 AM to 2 PM at the Jason Russell House (7 Jason Street) with the The Arlington Historical Society and Cyrus Dallin Art Museum.

This free, family-friendly event will feature hands-on activities, opportunities to explore local history, and engaging experiences for visitors of all ages. The Old Schwamb Mill will be joining the festivities, offering interactive elements that highlight Arlington’s rich historical traditions.

Visitors are encouraged to stop by, take part in the day’s offerings, and connect with local organizations dedicated to preserving and sharing the town’s history. This event is a great way to experience Patriots’ Day in the place where history happened.

Families First Saturdays at the Old Schwamb Mill: The Midnight Writer with Sabrina Bhattacharjya

The Old Schwamb Mill invites families to a special children’s program on Friday, March 7, from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM, designed for children ages 5–10.

Local author Sabrina Bhattacharjya will read from her book “The Midnight Writer,” followed by a kid-friendly discussion and Q&A about storytelling, history, and her experience as a young writer. As an active high school student involved in several local history organizations, Sabrina brings a relatable and inspiring perspective for young audiences.

After the reading, children will enjoy hands-on activities including coloring pages, colonial-era games, and music. The program also encourages children to think about their own stories and family histories, with families invited to take a “family portrait” using one of the mill’s historic round and oval frames. Light snacks and refreshments will be available.

Space is limited. Advance registration is required — please sign up using the QR code on the flyer or the link below to sign up.

The Road Where It Happened: Reexamining Menotomy on April 19, 1775
An Informal Historical Talk at Old Schwamb Mill

Not everything that unfolded in Menotomy on April 19, 1775 looked like the scenes etched into popular memory. Beyond Paul Revere’s ride and marching columns of redcoats, the day was marked by ambushes, seized wagons, rebels hiding in cornfields, and fierce fighting along what became known as the “Foot of the Rocks.”

On Saturday, March 7 at 2:00 PM, the Old Schwamb Mill invites the public to The Road Where It Happened: Version 2.0, an informal illustrated talk by local historian Doreen Stevens. The program explores the lesser-known stories, myths, and meanings surrounding some of the deadliest fighting of the first day of the American Revolution.

Stevens will focus on the experiences of local residents and militia members, including Benjamin Locke of Foot of the Rocks, who led the Menotomy Minutemen up and down “The Road Where It Happened.” By examining eyewitness accounts and later interpretations, the talk invites audiences to reconsider how history is remembered, retold, and rooted in place.

Held at the historic mill site itself, this program offers a unique opportunity to connect Arlington’s Revolutionary past with the landscape where it unfolded.