Pratt's Mill, Crowborough facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Crowborough Windmill |
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The mill c1905
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| Origin | |
| Mill name | Pratt's Mill |
| Grid reference | TQ 518 311 |
| Coordinates | 51°03′32″N 0°09′54″E / 51.059°N 0.165°E |
| Operator(s) | Private |
| Year built | 1862 |
| Information | |
| Purpose | Corn mill |
| Type | Tower |
| Storeys | Five storeys |
| No. of sails | Four sails |
| Type of sails | Patent sails |
| Winding | Fantail |
| No. of pairs of millstones | Three pairs |
| Year lost | Truncated 1927 |
Pratt's Mill is an old windmill located in Crowborough, Sussex, England. It used to grind corn, but now it's a home! It's a type of windmill called a "tower mill" because it's built like a tall tower.
The Story of Pratt's Mill
Pratt's Mill was built a long time ago, between September 1861 and February 1862. Some of its parts, like the grinding machines, came from another mill called Calverley Mill in Royal Tunbridge Wells.
Sadly, soon after it was built, in February 1862, there was an accident. The miller's son was hurt by the machinery and passed away.
The mill worked using wind power until 1907. After that, it used a steam engine to grind corn until 1922. A famous artist named Frank Brangwyn even painted the mill when it no longer had its big sails.
In 1927, the mill was changed into a house. To do this, they made it shorter, from five floors down to three.
What the Mill Looked Like
When it was first built, Pratt's Mill was a tall, five-story brick tower. It was covered with special roof tiles called "peg tiles." It had four large "patent sails" that caught the wind. A "fantail" on the cap helped turn the mill to face the wind.
Today, only the bottom three floors of the tower remain. There have been some additions and extensions to make it a comfortable home. It's thought that the mill might have used three pairs of millstones to grind the corn.
Who Ran the Mill?
Here are some of the people who worked as millers at Pratt's Mill:
- Richard Pratt (1861)
- Samuel Pratt (1881 - 1891)
