During the American Revolutionary War, it provided grain to the Continental Army during the 1779–1780 winter encampment at nearby Jockey Hollow.

[3][4] In 1929, local resident and prominent restaurateur William Childs bought the mill property and moved the barn to the other side of U.S. 202.

In the 1970s, the Olde Mill Inn hotel, venue and meeting center was built on the property next to the restaurant.

It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 12, 1975 for its significance in architecture, commerce, education and industry.

[3] In 1935, Van Dorn's Mill, then owned by William Childs, was documented by the Historic American Buildings Survey.