A history of the Windmill
1807
The windmill is built by Mr Green. a Nottingham baker in Sneinton, a village just outside the town of Nottingham. It is the largest and most powerful of the twenty or so windmills in and around the town.
1817
Mr Green builds a fine house next to the windmill and his family move here, away from the noisy, overcrowded town.
1828
Mr Green’s son George, whilst working at the “tedious and uninstructive details of common business” publishes his now famous Essay on the Application of Mathematical Analysis to the Theories of Electricity and Magnetism”
1829
Old Mr Green dies and George takes over the business. The family has prospered, owning property in Sneinton and Nottingham.
1833
George Green lets the milling business and the family house and becomes a student at Caius College, Cambridge.
1841
George Green dies in Sneinton, aged 47 years.
c.1862
The mill ceases work. The sails are removed and the windmill is abandoned
1919
The mill is bought by a Nottingham solicitor, Oliver Hind. He has the cap of the mill covered in copper sheeting to keep out the weather. The mill is let to H Gell and Co. manufacturers of boot and furniture polish.
1947
A disastrous fire destroys much of the mill, only the brick tower left standing. Once again the mill is abandoned.
1979
The derelict mill tower is bought by the George Green Memorial Fund and presented to the City of Nottingham. Restoration begins to provide a memorial to the genius of George Green.
1985
The windmill and Science Centre open to the public
1986
For the first time in around 125 years grain is once again being ground in.
2012
Green’s Windmill Trust, a registered charity, begin to take over management of the windmill and science centre on behalf of the City of Nottingham.
2013
Once again the mill wins top prize in the Soil Association Organic Food awards.
2017
Green’s Windmill Trust receives the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (the ‘MBE for voluntary groups’).
Read our guide to Green’s Windmill to find out how the mill works.
Things to do at Green’s Windmill
Entry is free to the Mill and Museum!
Climb the windmill to see amazing views of Nottingham.
Experiment like a scientist, see our community garden and visit our shop.
Get involved and support us
There are lots of ways to get involved at Green’s Mill.
You can join us by becoming a member, volunteer with us in a range of roles or make a donation.