News and events sponsored by Yates Mill Associates
Stop by this page to see the latest news and events sponsored by Yates Mill Associates, the non-profit founded in 1989 by a group of local history buffs to restore, preserve, and operate Yates Mill. Built in 1756, Yates Mill is the only fully restored and operational automatic mill in North Carolina and one of just a few historic automated water mills in the United States.
Santa at the Mill
Saturday, December 6, 2025 10am-noon and 1pm-4pm
Step inside Yates Mill with the whole family and meet Santa in a setting like no other! Our volunteers will be available to take pictures with your camera.
Due to limited space, entry will be staggered to allow each family a private moment with Santa. Available on a first-come, first-serve basis. This is a free event, but donations are appreciated. All donation are used by YMA to care for Yates Mill.
While at the park, try out a variety of old-fashioned toys, make a simple holiday ornament, shop for handmade crafts, and enjoysome free seasonal refreshments (while supplies last).
Replacing the Waterwheel at Yates Mill
The waterwheel at Yates Mill is scheduled to be replaced this year. Outliving its projected lifespan by a decade, the waterwheel at Yates Mill has started to deteriorate to the point that repairs are no longer possible. The waterwheel, which supplies all of the power found at Yates Mill, can no longer be used to grind corn safely. Ben Hassett, an experienced wheelwright, will rebuild the waterwheel at Yates Mill this year. Preparations are being made and later this summer a large crane will remove the waterwheel from Yates Mill. The waterwheel will then be loaded onto a large truck and shipped to Ben’s workshop in Kentucky, where a new waterwheel will be built with attention to historic accuracy and detail. In the fall, the newly built waterwheel will be shipped back to North Carolina and installed by a large crane. Stay tuned for more details!
July Update – The mill yard will be closed July 8 through July 26 as preparations are made to rebuild the waterwheel. During this time, the waterwheel and flume/forebay will be removed from the mill and the mill and mill yard will be closed for safety reasons. The new waterwheel and flume will be installed in the fall.
September Update – The mill yard will be closed for most of September as Ben Hassett arrives with his crew and begins the preparations for installing the waterwheel and flume. Many things must be setup and positioned before the waterwheel can be installed. If everything goes as planned, the waterwheel itself will be installed September 16-20th. The best viewing of this process is across the dam from the mill. Instead of heading down the path straight for the mill, visitors should instead cross the pond by the parking lot and take the trail around the pond towards the mill.
October Update – The new waterwheel has been installed! However, the mill yard will continue to be closed through October for safety reasons while the smaller, less obvious details of the installation process are completed.
November Update – The new waterwheel and flume are complete! However, the mill yard will remain closed till mid-November as Historic Yates Mill County Park repairs the grounds around the mill.
Story in The News and Observer
Pictures from July 10th – the first day of waterwheel disassembly
Learn more about the history of the waterwheel, details about why it needs replaced, and how you can help!
News and events sponsored by Yates Mill Associates
Stop by this page to see the latest news and events sponsored by Yates Mill Associates, the non-profit founded in 1989 by a group of local history buffs to restore, preserve, and operate Yates Mill. Built in 1756, Yates Mill is the only fully restored and operational automatic mill in North Carolina and one of just a few historic automated water mills in the United States.
Santa at the Mill
Saturday, December 6, 2025 10am-noon and 1pm-4pm
Step inside Yates Mill with the whole family and meet Santa in a setting like no other! Our volunteers will be available to take pictures with your camera.
Due to limited space, entry will be staggered to allow each family a private moment with Santa. Available on a first-come, first-serve basis. This is a free event, but donations are appreciated. All donation are used by YMA to care for Yates Mill.
While at the park, try out a variety of old-fashioned toys, make a simple holiday ornament, shop for handmade crafts, and enjoysome free seasonal refreshments (while supplies last).
Replacing the Waterwheel at Yates Mill
The waterwheel at Yates Mill is scheduled to be replaced this year. Outliving its projected lifespan by a decade, the waterwheel at Yates Mill has started to deteriorate to the point that repairs are no longer possible. The waterwheel, which supplies all of the power found at Yates Mill, can no longer be used to grind corn safely. Ben Hassett, an experienced wheelwright, will rebuild the waterwheel at Yates Mill this year. Preparations are being made and later this summer a large crane will remove the waterwheel from Yates Mill. The waterwheel will then be loaded onto a large truck and shipped to Ben’s workshop in Kentucky, where a new waterwheel will be built with attention to historic accuracy and detail. In the fall, the newly built waterwheel will be shipped back to North Carolina and installed by a large crane. Stay tuned for more details!
July Update – The mill yard will be closed July 8 through July 26 as preparations are made to rebuild the waterwheel. During this time, the waterwheel and flume/forebay will be removed from the mill and the mill and mill yard will be closed for safety reasons. The new waterwheel and flume will be installed in the fall.
September Update – The mill yard will be closed for most of September as Ben Hassett arrives with his crew and begins the preparations for installing the waterwheel and flume. Many things must be setup and positioned before the waterwheel can be installed. If everything goes as planned, the waterwheel itself will be installed September 16-20th. The best viewing of this process is across the dam from the mill. Instead of heading down the path straight for the mill, visitors should instead cross the pond by the parking lot and take the trail around the pond towards the mill.
October Update – The new waterwheel has been installed! However, the mill yard will continue to be closed through October for safety reasons while the smaller, less obvious details of the installation process are completed.
November Update – The new waterwheel and flume are complete! However, the mill yard will remain closed till mid-November as Historic Yates Mill County Park repairs the grounds around the mill.
Story in The News and Observer
Pictures from July 10th – the first day of waterwheel disassembly
Learn more about the history of the waterwheel, details about why it needs replaced, and how you can help!