the history of the mill

The first planned Moravian settlement in North Carolina, Bethania exists as the only remaining independent, continuously active Moravian village in the southern United States, and is the only known existing Germanic-type linear agricultural village in the South. The 500-acre (2.0 km2) Bethania National Historic Landmark district is the largest such district in Forsyth County. 

Bethania was founded 12 June 1759 by the Moravian Brethren of Wachovia as a congregational, agricultural, and trades community. Bethania was the first planned Moravian settlement in Wachovia.

Bethania has possessed a grist mill since at least 1784, when one was constructed on nearby Muddy Creek, The present mill, built in 1899 as the Lehman & Butner Roller Mill and then the Manning Milling Company, was a rambling two-story frame building located at the south end of Bethania on the north side of the Bethabara Road (S.R. 1688).

On October 18, 2008, the old Manning Milling Company was newly renovated and reopened as Bethania Mill and Village Shoppes; the only shopping center within the city limits. The Shoppes operated as a bustling community of retail, art, music, and food for the community for nearly 10 years. 

Today, we are excited to breathe new life into this historic location by transforming the beautiful, Bethania Mill and Village Shoppes into a unique space for Weddings and Events, Muse at the Mill this March 2020!