McLean Mill National Historic Site

McLean Mill National Historic Site Welcome to McLean Mill National Historic Site! Take a Step Back in Time. Corporate Events | Weddings | Historical Tours | Live Shows | Family Entertainment |

McLean Mill is open 7 days a week 10:00am-4:00pm
The site remains accessible dawn to dusk.

The Machine/Mechanic’s ShopUntil WWII the east end of the R.B McLean Lumber Co. site was reserved for locomotive logging...
08/30/2026

The Machine/Mechanic’s Shop

Until WWII the east end of the R.B McLean Lumber Co. site was reserved for locomotive logging. When truck logging was introduced and rail logging abandoned, the area was opened up for trucks. In 1952 the Mechanic’s Shop was built. The shop was wired for electricity, which was used for lighting and to run an electric drill and air compressor. The compressor was originally part of a milking machine. Other pieces in the shop included an electric lathe and grinder. The 6” vice saw on the north side of the workbench was purchased by Howard McLean from the Co-op for $20.00.

When McLean Mill was in the restoration process, the Mechanic’s Shop was in the best condition. Most of the work here focused on cataloging and sorting the nearly 7000 artifacts inside the shop.

08/28/2026

Good morning!

We will be closing around 2:00pm today to attend the Hometown Takeover Block Party! Don’t worry, we’re still open for the morning! Regular hours (10am-4pm) will resume tomorrow. See you there! 😃

What’s up this week? Well, let us tell you! Thanks Port Alberni Visitor Centre!
08/24/2026

What’s up this week? Well, let us tell you! Thanks Port Alberni Visitor Centre!

The Millwright’s ShedThe Millwright’s Shed has been known by many other names, such as the Bearing Shed, the Generator B...
08/21/2026

The Millwright’s Shed

The Millwright’s Shed has been known by many other names, such as the Bearing Shed, the Generator Building, and the Powerhouse. As those names suggest, this building was used to store bearings and house a generator that would provide minimal electric power for the sawmill and select camp buildings.

Prior to 1948, when McLean Mill tapped into the larger hydroelectric system, the McLeans generated their own electricity. Steam from the sawmill could be used to generate power here in this building, but only when the mill was running. When the boiler was down, they used a 5HP single-cylinder gas engine, also housed in this building. The system could be bypassed to use the even older water wheel system, installed in the mid to late 1930s. (The water wheel system and the structure it was in no longer exists.)

Here’s What’s Up this week! Enjoy the last few days of summer ☀️ Thanks Port Alberni Visitor Centre!
08/18/2026

Here’s What’s Up this week! Enjoy the last few days of summer ☀️ Thanks Port Alberni Visitor Centre!

This week’s “What’s Up?”
08/11/2026

This week’s “What’s Up?”

The OfficeThe Office was originally built in 1929 as a two-room cabin for the first millwright, Mr. Solloway, and his wi...
08/10/2026

The Office

The Office was originally built in 1929 as a two-room cabin for the first millwright, Mr. Solloway, and his wife, to live in. Over the following years many other families lived here. All office functions were moved here in 1948 where they remained until 1962. The bookkeeper would work in the front room (last photo), while Howard McLean had his own office in what was the west bedroom (first photo). This building had a decent view of the logging operations happening outside so Howard could watch over his business.

The second photo is a freight bill for $166.90 from Canadian Pacific Railway to R.B. McLean Lumber Company from 1953. One car of Douglas Fir Rough Green Lumber was transported from Port Alberni to Nanaimo to later be shipped to Africa.

Did you know we have a coffee station?Featuring locally roasted beans from Alberni Premium Coffee Co.! Come grab a cup a...
08/03/2026

Did you know we have a coffee station?

Featuring locally roasted beans from Alberni Premium Coffee Co.! Come grab a cup and explore the historic site. If you love the coffee so much, purchase your own 1 pound bag!

We also have tea and hot chocolate ;)

This week’s “What’s Up?” Thanks Port Alberni Visitor Centre!
07/27/2026

This week’s “What’s Up?” Thanks Port Alberni Visitor Centre!

We don’t know about you guys, but we love this kind of weather! It’s perfect for a visit to McLean Mill… don’t you think...
07/26/2026

We don’t know about you guys, but we love this kind of weather! It’s perfect for a visit to McLean Mill… don’t you think? 👀

Address

5633 Smith Road
Port Alberni, BC
V9Y8M1

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+12507231376

Website

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