Discover the green roots of energy innovation: How historic mills illuminate the path to a sustainable future
For centuries, windmills and watermills powered communities across the UK and beyond—long before fossil fuels dominated our energy systems. Today, as we face the urgent challenge of climate change, these traditional technologies offer valuable lessons in sustainable, local, and renewable energy. At the Mills Archive Trust, we preserve and share the rich history of mills as early renewable energy systems. Explore how the past can inspire a greener tomorrow.
Many of these resources have been funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to Lottery Players.
Explore the archive
Discover documents, photographs, engineering plans and personal stories that trace the evolution of wind and water power:
Learn from history
Understand the environmental and technological impact of mills from past to present:
- Blog: Reading Hydro – a hydro-electric project on the River Thames
- Timeline: Renewable energy, some key dates
- Case study: To the rescue! Saving a renewable energy professor’s papers and publications
Resources for educators and researchers
Access curated materials that bring the story of mills and climate into classrooms and research:
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Stay updated on how our historical energy records inform today’s green transition:
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