Ready to get inside of Historic Yates Mill? The tour season runs from March through November, with public tours offered on weekends. Learn about the different tours below.
Yates Mill is an operable grain mill established around 1760. The equipment in the mill is original, left after the Lea family ceased milling operations in the mid-1950s. A visit to this historic treasure provides an opportunity to learn about an integral aspect of rural life in the early days of settlement in Wake County.
Tours are free. Donations to the nonprofit Yates Mill Associates are welcome to support the maintenance and operations of Historic Yates Mill. For more information on how to donate or become a member of Yates Mill Associates, please visit: www.yatesmill.org.
Public Mill Tours
Mill Open House
Mill Open House
Saturdays, March 7, 14, 21, & 28, 1–4 p.m.
Sundays, March 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29, 1–4 p.m.
Discover Historic Yates Mill during this free, drop-in program. The doors to the mill will be open, and historic interpreters will be available to talk about the history and inner workings of the mill and to answer questions. Stay for as long or as little as you like! Please note that space inside the mill is limited, allowing up to 20 visitors at a time. No registration required.
Mill History Tours
Mill History Tours
Fridays, March 13 & 27, 1 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.
Discover Historic Yates Mill – a place of business, community and exciting local history! Join a historic interpreter at the visitor center for a guided walk to the mill, then explore the inner workings of the mill itself during this guided tour. Most appropriate for ages 7 & up. FREE.
Pre-registration is encouraged. Up to 10 tickets are available online for pre-registration, while 10 additional tickets are available inside the visitor center on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the tour. Maximum of 20 people per tour.
Click on the button below for details.
Corn-Grinding Demonstrations
Please note that corn-grinding demonstrations are on hold until late spring 2026.
Organized Group Mill Tours
Now Available
Historic Yates Mill County Park is pleased to offer free, guided tours to organized groups of 10 or more people on weekdays. Tour dates are available on weekdays on a first-come, first-served basis from March through November. Reservations should be made, preferably, one month in advance. Requests for group tours are made by contacting the Group Program Coordinator, Adam Prince, at adam.prince@wake.gov.
For groups interested in other programs in addition to a mill tour, please refer to the Group Programs and Field Trips section of our website.
Upcoming Tours and Programs
Learn more about upcoming tours and other programs below.
Upcoming Programs