Cream of Barley Mill

The Cream of Barley Mill is a brick structure situated along Bowmanville Creek in Bowmanville that once processed barley and other grains using traditional equipment. The building now houses arts programs and cultural activities for the community.

John MacKay acquired the original mill in 1884 and transformed it into a facility for processing barley into hot cereal products sold widely. The site became a significant industrial operation that shaped the local economy for decades.

The mill reflects how grain processing shaped the local economy and daily life in 19th-century Ontario communities. Today visitors can see the spaces where this work happened and understand its importance to the region.

The site is open to the public as a visual arts center and hosts exhibitions and programs throughout the year. Check ahead for current offerings and access information before planning a visit.

The mill processed barley shipped from western Canadian regions and sent finished products to distant markets, connecting the small Bowmanville community to far-reaching trade networks. This trade connection was unusual for an inland mill town in the late 1800s.