About
Started in 1971 by a group of volunteers, known as “the gang”, they endeavored to restore the dilapidated 1855 Grist mill and surrounding buildings. The Purpose of the Prater’s Mill Foundation is to protect, preserve and present the heritage of the Prater’s Mill Site for future generations. Historic Prater’s Mill is now owned by the people of Whitfield County but operated and maintained by the Prater’s Mill Foundation. As a non-profit volunteer group, the foundation relies heavily on the revenue from the annual Country Fair, grounds reservations, memberships and donations. We invite you to become a member! Donations to the Foundation are used for these projects: Veteran’s History Project with the Library of Congress, Preservation of Historic buildings, Southern Appalachian Folklife Collection and Center, Prater’s Mill Historical Marker Project, and Hands-0n-History for School Age Children. Prater’s Mill is more than just a mill. In return for your efforts you can meet new friends, have fun and sustain the history of your community. You can help by donating your time and/or money. We need volunteers to staff our office, help us maintain the grounds and even help produce the show. This just name a few ways we could use your help! Get more information at 706.694.MILL.
BEFORE (1971):

AFTER (2011):

Our mission to preserve, protect & present the heritage of the mill site for future generations.
Prater’s Mill is also a member of the Society for the Preservation of Old Mills (SPOOM), an international organization chartered in Maine in 1972 dedicated by its constitution to promote interest in old mills and other Americana now quickly passing from the present scene. The Society reports to its members through a quarterly magazine, keeps files and maintains a library on mills, and acts as a clearing house on milling information. A wealth of information and links to mills internationally can be found at the Society web site, SPOOM.org.