Holgate Windmill

Holgate Mill, York
The mill in December 2011, just after restoration of the sails, but before the shutters had been installed
Origin
Mill name	Holgate Mill
Grid reference	SE 5841 5148
Coordinates	53°57′22″N 1°06′41″W / 53.9561°N 1.1113°W / 53.9561; -1.1113Coordinates: 53°57′22″N 1°06′41″W / 53.9561°N 1.1113°W / 53.9561; -1.1113
Operator(s)	Holgate Windmill Preservation Society
Year built	1770
Information
Purpose	Corn mill
Type	Tower mill
Storeys	Five storeys
No. of sails	Five sails
Type of sails	Double Patent sails
Windshaft	Cast iron
Winding	Fantail
Fantail blades	Eight blades
Auxiliary power	Electric Motor (1930)
No. of pairs of millstones	Four Pairs
Other information	Restored and working

Holgate Windmill is a tower mill at Holgate in York, North Yorkshire, England which has been restored to working order.

Holgate tower windmill was built in 1770 of brickstones by its first owner and miller George Waud. He, his son and grandson ran the mill until 1851, and a dwelling-house was erected around the same time. The mill was originally fitted with five Roller Reefing sails although these were later replaced by Double Patent sails. In 1841, the mill was described as having three pairs of French Burr millstones, two dressing machines and five Patent sails. A fourth pair of stones had been added by 1858.

In 1859 a new granary was built, and a steam engine installed to make the mill more profitable. An extra floor was also built to raise the mill to its present height.

In 1930, a large electric motor was installed to replace the steam engine, chimney and boiler house, which were pulled down. After some storm damage (sails backwinded), the mill had to stop grinding under wind power, and the City Council had the sails and the fantail removed. Milling with the electric motor ceased entirely in 1933. In 1939, a new white-painted cap was built onto the milltower. The mill's last known miller was Thomas Mollet; Eliza Gutch and her family were the last known owners of the mill.

The mill was given Grade II listed building status in 1954. In 1955 further cap repairs were made, and its five stocks (whips, sailbacks) were removed in 1956.

In 2001 the Holgate Preservation Society was formed, and the mill's doors were opened to the public in 2005 for the first time after 70 years. Planning for the restoration of the mill began in 2003, and the restoration started in 2006. Scaffolding was erected around the mill to remove the external black paint and render. Electricity supply was installed, and new oak doors and windows were built in. A new lime render was applied to the outer walls. In autumn 2006, the old cap with shears, brake wheel and iron cross was removed by crane, along with the old curb ring which carried the cap. The iron ring was broken and the supporting wooden frame was rotten. In 2007, most of the external renovation works were completed, a newly manufactured curb ring was lifted in, the scaffolding was removed, and the mill's open top was sealed against rain.