The Essex Industrial Archaeology Group
Discovering Essex Wind and Water Mills
Essex Heritage Trust awarded a grant to the Essex Industrial Archaeology Group for the publication “Discovering Essex Wind and Water Mills“
The Essex Mills Group was inaugurated in 1985 for mill enthusiasts to preserve wind, water, tide and steam mills in Essex and to defend their future. The group arranged visits to mills, collected historical and technical information, together with illustrations of mills, and published regular newsletters. The Mills Group was active for about thirty years during which time much valuable work was carried out, but unfortunately it then ceased its activities. However, to ensure its continued work, in 2019 The Essex Mills Group was incorporated into The Essex Industrial Archaeology Group (EIAG), which has similar aims and which would, therefore, ensure the Mills Group’s work would be continued.
The promotion of Essex’s milling history and heritage for the public to enjoy, learn about and support for current and future generations was one of the Mills Group’s primary aims. In order to continue to meet this aim, EIAG decided to produce a guide to the Essex mills which are open to the public. This was felt to be particularly necessary at this time considering the fact that many mills have been closed to the public over the last two years due to Covid restrictions. Many are desperately in need of funds from paying visitors to be able to maintain the mill buildings and machinery as visitor attractions.
The Mills Booklet is a detailed guide to the 13 wind and water mills which are normally open to the public with a brief history of each, opening times, location and facilities. The booklet also has captioned diagrams of a wind and a water mill; a list of mills with new uses with public access; and lists of Listed mills in the County. It is fully illustrated with excellent colour photographs. It has been produced with the generous financial support of the Essex Heritage Trust, Carr’s Flour Mills and the Essex Society for Archaeology and History.
Copies of the Mills Booklet are available at the featured mills or by contacting the Essex Industrial Archaeology Group at essexiag@gmail.com