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.
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!