Project Overview
Wake County Parks, Recreation, and Open Space operates Historic Yates Mill County Park in partnership with North Carolina State University and Yates Mill Associates. NCSU owns the mill and leases it, along with the surrounding land, to Wake County to operate the park.
Wake County and Yates Mill Associates are jointly funding and managing the Historic Yates Mill waterwheel and forebay replacement. B.E. Hassett-Millwrights, Inc., was selected to repair the waterwheel and forebay. Wake County is funding 42% project cost and the remaining 58% of the cost of the Waterwheel and Forebay Replacement Project is funded by Yates Mill Associates. Estimated cost of repair is $500,000.
What is a waterwheel?
A waterwheel in a mill is a large wheel, typically made of wood, that is powered by the flow of water. It is a key component of a watermill, converting the kinetic energy of flowing water into mechanical power to drive machinery, such as grinding stones in a gristmill.
What is a forebay?
A mill forebay is a structure, typically a containment area or channel, that holds water and directs it to a waterwheel or turbine, often at a mill. It acts as a reservoir, regulating water flow and ensuring a consistent supply to the power source.
Why is the mill yard closed?
As both the waterwheel and forebay for the mill are at the end of their life expectancy, we are currently in the process of replacing both and this will occur in two phases: removal in Summer 2025 and installation in Fall 2025.
How long will the mill area be closed?
The initial removal phase began Tuesday, July 8, and is expected to conclude on Saturday, July 26. The dates are approximate and subject to change due to inclement weather or other project-related delays.
The mill yard will reopen once the waterwheel and forebay are removed. The waterwheel and forebay will be absent until re-installed in fall 2025.
About Yates Mill Associates
YMA was formed in 1989 to restore, preserve and operate Yates Mill, which had fallen into disrepair. YMA has always been solely responsible for maintaining the mill, while Wake County has operated and maintained the rest of the park. Wake County has an agreement with YMA to operate and maintain the mill.
About the Millwright
B.E. Hassett-Millwrights is a full service, traditional millwrighting company serving as a resource for repair, maintenance, restoration and reconstruction of wind- and water-powered agricultural and early industrial historical sites. The focus of B.E. Hassett-Millwrights is to carry out all repairs and restoration work of Windmills and Water Mills, with a view to repair instead of replace, in order to preserve as much of the original fabric of the structure and machinery as possible.
Timeline
July 2025
Remove existing waterwheel and forebayJuly–August 2025
Begin wheel manufacturing and refurbish gearing, hubs and bearings in Louisville, KentuckySeptember/October 2025
Install wheel and forebayFall 2025
Project completionWe appreciate your understanding during this exciting time!