The University of West Florida Historic Trust will host the grand re-opening of the 37-acre Arcadia Mill Archaeological Site next Saturday, March 14 at 10 a.m., according to Roy Oberto, education coordinator for Arcadia Mill. Arcadia’s site grounds have been closed to the public since September due to construction for a new ADA-compliant bridge over Pond Creek and an associated boardwalk connecting to the nature trails.
The event will showcase Arcadia's newly constructed bridge, and include children's activities, vendors, demonstrators and site tours. According to Oberto, the FloraBama Cut-Ups, wood carving artists, will be there along with several history-related vendors, such as the Florida Public Archaeology Network, the Santa Rosa Historical Society, and the UWF Alumni Association. Children will be able to enjoy coloring and crafts, face painting, candle dipping, as well as a game called Frontier Fishing.
Oberto said the bridge could have lasted a lot longer. The construction’s purpose was to increase accessibility. An added bonus, he said, was maintaining accessibility after rain. He said, “After any rain, the old swing bridge was under water and the northern side was inaccessible.”
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Arcadia Mill to reopen to public