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Nestled along the banks of the Queen's River in the hamlet of Usquepaugh, we are the oldest manufacturing business in Rhode Island, and the second oldest continuously operating business in the state.  (Click here to find out which business in Rhode Island is the oldest since 1673).  Although our current building dates back to 1886, we've been grinding meals & flours continuously on site since 1696.  Our single pass stone grinding process is between two, very large Westerly, Rhode Island granite millstones.  This method of grinding continues to withstand the test of time to be the health conscious choice. 

We have always been available for milling farmer's grain into meal or flour, a tradition that the Drumm family has proudly upheld.  We are currently working on a team effort producing local rye flour and bread with Schartner Farms in Exeter, Seven Stars Bakery in Providence, and Farm Fresh Rhode Island.  Throughout the years, we have supported local farms and have ground native grains when available, such as the rare crop of Rhode Island Flint corn.  Although we try very hard to purchase our grains as local as possible, it is also important to consider the farming methods used.  As always, we do not use, or source grain with any additives, pesticides or preservatives. 

Kenyon's Grist Mill is regularly inspected by the Rhode Island Department of Health and the FDA.  This qualifies us to ship throughout the country and stand behind our products' excellence.  Customers have sought Kenyon's products for generations because of our honesty, dependability, and high standards.  We pride ourselves in doing business the right way and feel honored to be preserving a piece of Rhode Island's history. 

Kenyon's has been historically synonymous with many things...some people immediately envision Johnny Cakes, while others might think of Clam Cakes & Chowder served at one of our community fairs or enjoying all-natural pancakes and other mixes with family.  Visitors enjoy stopping by the mill and shop...taking in the scenery and history (whether it is on a regular business day or at one of our three events).  Others enjoy the abundance of our food products available to restaurants and retailers across the country.  We also custom grind and provide private labeling for many well known establishments.  Our online store also makes it easy for local residents and nonresidents alike to purchase our fresh Stone Ground Corn Meal, Meals & Flours, Old Fashioned Mixes, Pancake Mixes, and New England Delicacies directly off our website.  Our Rhode Island Own section also contains some of Rhode Island's unique favorites, such as Lightfoot’s Pine Soap, honey, maple syrup and coffee syrup! 

Visit the Mill's Shop ~ Hours of Operation
 Purchase from a selection of freshly ground Kenyon products, as well as other local gifts and items.  The mill & shop are open on weekdays (Monday - Friday) from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.  Additional weekend shop hours are on Saturday & Sunday from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. until December 31.  We are closed on national holidays.  Our 2012 winter/spring hours are from January 2 - April 13.  During this time, the mill & shop will be open on weekdays only (Monday - Friday) from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.  High season hours and weekend hours will be begin again starting April 14.  For directions to the mill and shop, click here.

Johnny Cake White Corn Meal
Our genuine stone ground cornmeal is most popular, especially stone ground white cornmeal (or Johnny Cake Meal) to make Johnny Cakes.  This traditional Rhode Island food dates back to the colonial time when Native American Indians introduced corn to the settlers.  At first, they were known as "Journey Cakes".  Settlers often took them along on their journeys.  But, as Rhode Islanders were more known for dropping r's in words, "Journey Cakes" became, "Johnny Cakes".  We also grind yellow, red, and blue corn.  To order Stone Ground Corn Meal, click here. 

Rhode Island White Cap Flint Johnny Cake Meal is Coming for 2012!
We love to grind Rhode Island grain whenever possible, as long as it meets our standards.  Genuine Rhode Island Flint Corn is hard to come by.  We have built a relationship with a farm in Slocum, Rhode Island and anticipate grinding and packaging completed by March/April 2012.  We are currently sharpening one set of stones for this special grind.

2012 Events at the Mill
We host three, annual events at the mill.  Smaller, open house style events with discount kayaking are held in May and July. The larger Harvest/Johnny Cake Festival is held in October.  For more information, click here.

2012 Community Fairs
Be sure the visit the Kenyon's Booth as we travel New England cooking our Clam Cakes and Chowder at Community Fairs.  For a list of dates and locations, click here.

Lightfoot's Pine Soap
Kenyon’s Grist Mill is the premier national distributor for this natural product.  Made right here in Rhode Island, Lightfoot’s Pine Soap is produced by one of the oldest soap makers in the country!  For more information, click here.

Queen's River Kayaks
Since 2009, we have also been renting kayaks by the mill on the Queen's River, Wood River, and Pawcatuck River.  We operate from late April to the end of August.  To make a reservation, or to get more information, click here.

Flood 2010
On March 30 & 31, 2010, Rhode Island experienced a state of emergency when waters rose to levels that hadn't been seen in over 100 years causing hundreds of people to evacuate their homes and businesses.  Although the mill was virtually undamaged, the earthen dam and spillways, also owned by Kenyon's Grist Mill suffered severe damage from the excessive rain.  Our dam was built in 1696 to create a reservoir of water to power various mills on the site.  It has created a very well established watershed that must be protected and preserved.  This part of Rhode Island's environment stretches through South Kingstown, Exeter, and North Kingstown.  The Nature Conservancy’s Queen's River Preserve and the Audubon Society of Rhode Island’s Eppley Preserve and Fisherville Brook Wildlife Sanctuaries rely on this reservoir, which creates a habitat for a variety of wildlife.  Since the site is privately owned, all of the work that has been done in Usquepaugh on the dam and spillways has been done at Kenyon’s Grist Mill’s expense without federal funding.  The final estimated costs for the completed restoration project range from $600,000 to $1,000,000. We are looking for contributions of work, materials, expertise and funding.  Please be in touch if you are looking for a very gratifying project to maintain and secure a piece of Rhode Island’s history and environment.  Click here for more details and photos on the flood.