Wye Mills
Wye Mills is a quiet village that sits in both Queen Anne's and Talbot Counties. It's the site of the legendary Wye Oak, the oldest white oak which was toppled during a thunderstorm in June 2002 at the age of 460 years old.
Also noteworthy is the Wye Grist Mill, built in 1682 and the oldest operating grist mill in Maryland. The mill is open to the public from April to November, Thursday to Sunday. Demonstrations are provided on the first and third Saturdays, and flour that has been milled can be purchased.
Another unique local food item to be found here is Orrell's Maryland Beaten Biscuits . A beaten biscuit is a Maryland tradition, and is made by placing dough on a wooden slab, and beating it for at least 30 minutes with an axe handle, a wooden club or a rolling pin. The finished product is a chestnut sized biscuit that is served with soups.
The Wye Mills School House is a historic structure dating back to 1800, and said to be the first public school on the Eastern Shore. It's a one and a half story brick house with one room and a loft.
Chesapeake College, established in 1965, is located on the outskirts of Wye Mills. The college offers a two year associates degree program, numerous certificate programs and continuing education for the local workforce. Chesapeake College has been continuously expanding to serve the higher education needs to several counties in the region. The Todd Performing Arts Center on the campus offers concerts, symphonies and plays, and the facility can be rented by groups for events.
Along the Wye River there is the Wye Landing, a public boat launch for access to the Chesapeake Bay for local boaters. There is also a public park with picnic tables, offering a site for a family picnic, or a nice stop for a lunch break.
There are newer residential developments on the outskirts of town. Close access to Route 50 makes it a good place for commuters to settle down.
