Stansted Mountfitchet Windmill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stansted Mill |
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The restored mill, October 2007
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| Origin | |
| Mill name | Stansted Mill |
| Mill location | TL 509 248 |
| Coordinates | 51°54′04″N 0°11′38″E / 51.901°N 0.194°E |
| Operator(s) | Private |
| Year built | 1787 |
| Information | |
| Purpose | Corn mill |
| Type | Tower mill |
| Storeys | Five storeys |
| No. of sails | Four sails |
| Type of sails | Patent sails |
| Windshaft | cast iron |
| Winding | Fantail |
| Fantail blades | Eight blades |
| No. of pairs of millstones | Three pairs |
The Stansted Mountfitchet Windmill is a historic Tower mill located in Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex, England. It's a very special building, listed as a Grade II* historic site and also a Scheduled Ancient Monument. This means it's super important and protected! The windmill has been carefully fixed up and can even turn its sails in the wind today.
Contents
What is a Windmill?
A windmill is a machine that uses the power of the wind to do work. Most windmills, like the Stansted Mill, were used to grind grain into flour. This process is called milling. The big sails catch the wind, which then turns machinery inside the mill to crush the grain.
How Stansted Mill Works
Stansted Mountfitchet Windmill is a type called a tower mill. This means it has a tall, round stone or brick tower. The top part, called the cap, can turn around to face the wind. This mill has five floors inside. It has four large sails that catch the wind. These are called Patent sails, which were a newer, more efficient type of sail.
Inside, a special part called a fantail helps the cap turn automatically to face the wind. This fantail has eight blades. The wind turns the sails, which then turn a strong cast iron shaft. This shaft connects to gears that power three pairs of large grinding stones. These stones crush the grain into flour.
The Mill's Story
Stansted Mountfitchet Windmill was built a long time ago in 1787. It was built for a person named Joseph Lindsell. Over the years, the mill had many different owners and millers who worked there.
Early Challenges and Upgrades
In the 1840s, the mill needed a lot of repairs. Its original sails, which were simpler Common sails, started to break. They were replaced with newer, more advanced Spring sails and then Patent sails. These new sails made the mill work better.
Working a windmill wasn't always easy. Sometimes there wasn't enough wind, so the mill couldn't grind grain. This made it hard for the millers to make money. One miller even said that a windmill wasn't worth much without enough wind!
Modernizing the Mill
Around 1860, the mill got some important upgrades. A new, stronger cast iron shaft was put in. Also, the automatic fantail was added. This was a big improvement because it meant someone didn't have to turn the cap by hand to face the wind.
In 1862, the mill's inside machinery was changed. It went from being an underdrift mill to an overdrift mill. This means the way the grinding stones were powered was updated. At this time, a wooden platform around the mill and a small building at its base were removed.
Later Years and Restoration
The Stansted Mountfitchet Windmill kept working for many years. By 1870, it had four powerful sails. It last ground grain for business in 1910, crushing oats.
After it stopped working, the mill still needed care. In 1930, the tower had to be made stronger with three iron bands. Later, in 1934, the mill was repaired and given to the local community.
From the 1940s to 1963, the mill was used as a meeting place for Scouts. In 1952, it was officially recognized as an Ancient Monument, which helped protect it. The mill was opened to visitors for the first time in 1964.
More restoration work happened in 1966 and again in 1984-1985. These repairs made it possible for the cap and sails to turn again! In 2003, the mill was struck by lightning during an open day, which caused some damage. More repairs were needed in 2005 to keep this amazing piece of history safe.
Visiting the Windmill
Today, the Stansted Mountfitchet Windmill is looked after by a group of volunteers called 'The Stansted Millers'. They help open the mill to the public.
You can visit the mill from Easter until October. It's usually open on the first Sunday of each month, on Bank Holidays, and on other special days. It's a great chance to see a real working windmill and learn about its history!
Images for kids
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The restored mill, October 2007
