If you haven’t been to Savage Mill lately or have never been there, now is the time to go. With the holidays coming up, you couldn’t find a better place to discover that perfect gift. Located off Route 1 in Savage, Md., the mill is within easy reach and is waiting to take you back in time.

Filled with more than 200 antique shops offering everything from life-size carousel horses and other figures to furniture and delicate christening gowns, the Savage Mill antique center is the perfect place to find a unique holiday gift. If antiques are not your thing, browse the quilt shop, game store (you can play a game while you are there), art galleries, curio shops and much more in one of the several interconnected buildings. Need fine art restored? Bring it to Savage Mill.

A 19th-century textile mill, Savage Mill was once a producer of canvas from raw cotton. Through the process of carding, spinning and weaving — and with help from the Little Patuxent River that flowed over a 30-foot water wheel — the millworks turned and churned, working their magic to supply canvas for clipper ship sails, tents for American troops in both World Wars, and painted backdrops for silent movies.

As you walk the halls of the Spinning and Carding buildings, you are on the same wood floors the 1800s mill workers knew. Threads embedded in the wood planks are from old weaving machinery. In the Paymaster Office, you will see where workers received their pay either in scrip to be used only in the company store or in dollars.  

Savage Mill is now a place to visit when life has become too much. It will appeal to your senses and your need to get away from it all. As you walk from the parking lot to the entrance, you are soothed by the sound of the running waters of the Little Patuxent River. Entering the mill, you will find the bright holiday decorations inviting as you search for that perfect holiday treasure.  You can visit the art galleries, home décor shops, fashion and jewelry stores, gifts and games shops, and get craft ideas and technical assistance from the craft shops.

If you are feeling hungry or just want to treat yourself, check out the Bonaparte Bakery, Mike’s Deli, or Scoops at the Mill. Mike’s offers sandwiches and salads to satisfy your hunger, and around the corner at Scoops you can top off your meal with a cone of ice cream or a milkshake. Enjoy your food outside at one of the conveniently located tables. For a meal more substantial, Rams Head Tavern offers a diverse menu and over 100 beers in an atmosphere that is warm and friendly.

If you are planning an event, don’t forget the Great Room and the Historic Savage Mill Manor. Both offer a beautiful setting for weddings and special occasions.

Before you leave the mill, take a walk around the grounds and see the country’s last-standing Bollman Truss semi-suspension bridge, brought to Savage Mill in 1860 and recognized as a national treasure. You can even take a walk on the bridge, which also offers a good view of the Little Patuxent River.

Savage Mill is open Sunday, 11 a.m.

to 6 p.m.; Mon-Wed, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thurs-Sat, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. For information, call 1-800-788-6455 or visit

www.savagemill.com.