Old Mill Yarn is owned and managed by Linda Griffith. Her many years of experience working for Linton Davidson, the previous owner, have proven invaluable for customers. Visitors to the store can depend on Linda for suggestions and expertise for their weaving and spinning projects.

Before 1998, Old Mill Yarn was Davidson's Old Mill Yarn, owned by Linton and Arlene Davidson. The Davidson's operated the retail spinning and weaving store since 1963.

The Davidson family tree had many family members in the wool business, especially in the early years of the century. Christopher Davidson began Christopher Woolen Mill in Bradford, England and William Davidson owned his own mill in Philadelphia. In 1921, Linton's grandfather, John B. Davidson established the John B. Davidson Woolen Mill on the current site of Old Mill Yarn. He purchased wool from local farmers and had connections for shipping extra wool to his brother William in Philadelphia.

Over the years, as the mill grew in size and production, his sons, Christopher, John G., William and Alexander became part of the mill and ran the operation for their father. In 1925, John B. Davidson Woolen Mill began spinning yarn for major league baseballs. The precise twist and firmness of yarn is quite an art. When you visit the store, be sure to see the cross-section of a baseball displayed in the lobby.

From 1941 to 1952 Davidson Woolen Mill produced yarn and knitted stocking caps, lumberman socks, athletic socks and the then-popular slipper sox. The Davidson mill also spun the yarn for the famous Chimayo weavers of New Mexico for almost fifty years. In 1960, Linton Davidson, the son of John G., became the third generation to join the mill. At this time, the mill began spinning a line of wool yarn for Mary Maxim Inc. of Canada. Linton managed that line until May of 1969.

On May 6, 1969 a fire completely destroyed the mill. Davidson Corporation (Linton Davidson and his father, John G. Davidson) purchased the charred mill property. They could not rebuild the mill, so the direction of the business changed and evolved into the retail store and separate wholesale line of yarns that you enjoy today.

Linda Griffith is dedicated to continuing the traditions of the Davidson Woolen Mill and proudly repeats the family commitment to the business by involving her husband, mother-in-law and children in the family business. Quality wool yarn continues to be an important segment of the inventory, but Old Mill Yarn has diversified and offers a complete line of standard and unique weaving and knitting yarns.