Lying abandon for nearly 50 years, reopening the Yates Mill was indeed a great cause for celebration. The 18 year restoration project was further enhanced with the addition of 570 acres of parkland around the mill.
   The old mill, a photographer's delight, is seen here in a wonderful reflective scene. The Yates Mill, located on the outskirts of Raleigh, is an outstanding example of a working 18th century grist mill. With many, many long hours of painstaking work, volunteers completed restoration of both the building and equipment, which made the 260 year old mill fully functional. Mill tours occasionally show off the huge mill stone in action, grinding corn into meal.
   Once owned by the North Carolina State University, the Historic Yates Mill Associates began restoration in 1988. Just in time to celebrate its 250 birthday, the mill was opened to the public in 2006. A partnership of both private and public entities has resulted in the creational of Yates Mill County Park, a no-fee park. Along with the mill, a 20 acre lake, walking trails and visitor center accommodate many recreational and educational experiences.
   Guided tours and Mill Heritage Tours take place Saturdays and Sundays during the afternoon, from March through November. Every so often, two hour tours allow visitors to explore all four floors of the mill, and guests are cautioned to prepare for a lot of climbing.

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