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.
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.
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!
We are Hiring!
Historic Yates Mill, located in Raleigh, NC is in search of a Head Miller. The Miller will act as a private, independent contractor reporting to Yates Mill Associates (YMA), a North Carolina non-profit.
Yates Mill is a fully restored c. 1756 gristmill listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a Raleigh Historic Property. It is the centerpiece of the 174-acre Historic Yates Mill County Park. It operates as part of a public-private partnership between NC State University, Wake County, and YMA.
The Head Miller is responsible for the overall preservation, maintenance, and operations of the mill building, machinery, and equipment. Additional duties include:
- Turning the waterwheel routinely to ensure its longevity.
- Providing routine inspections of the mill and pond dam.
- Serving as lead interpreter.
- Conducting seven corn-grinding demonstrations annually in c. 1860 period clothing.
- Safely producing, processing, and storing 400 pounds of cornmeal for NCDA inspection and public sales.
- Supporting other mill programs by conducting tours as necessary for school and private groups.
- Training waterwheel operators as needed.
- Working cooperatively with the Historic Yates Mill County Park Staff.
This salaried position requires a commitment of ~10-20 hours per week.
For more information or to apply please contact Larry Hancock at larry_hancock@ncsu.edu.