Mills and milling provide
much educational value.
The study of mills and milling (known as molinology) provides
helpful and attractive material for those researching History
at various levels from primary school through to degree level.
As traditional mills served most areas, study of local history
can be particularly rewarding. Lessons can be developed further
into the study of buildings and machinery as well as the history
and roles of the people involved in the rural economy and
early industry.
The evolution of design and the contrasting applications
of wind-, water- and muscle-power lead nicely into issues
relevant to those studying Art and
Design (especially the elements of the course related
to Building and Construction and Photographs and Images).
In common with other examples of vernacular architecture,
mills were often designed in a readily identifiable local
style e.g. Lincolnshire Tower Mills with their distinctive
“Ogee “ caps.
For those studying Geography
in KS2, relevant areas of study covered by information in
The Mills Archive include:
- The geology of materials both in the construction of
mills (where local geology determined building materials)
as well as the different rocks used as millstones such
as Derbyshire Millstone Grit and French Burr from the
Paris Basin.
- Wind, Water and Tidal Power are striking examples of
renewable energy sources.
The material gathered from the Archive can be supplemented
with visits to local mills and these can be identified using
the educational search engine on the Resources
page. |
