Only modern uses should be adopted with are consistent with preservation of the building's outstanding values. In such cases, limited compromise with restoration standards may be justified, especially in the interior, to obtain desired conveniences. Since our needs and capabitiles are always growing, important or interesting features that cannot be restored for the moment should be covered over and protected to await future treatment. Only a limited number of exceptional buildings are important enough to be preserved solely for exhibition. These buildings must be cared for and restored with utmost fidelity to the highest restoration standards.
Mills make wonderfull mills but perhaps make poor museums and other types of structures.
Mills besides providing a food stuff also inspire romance and nostalgic for the past. It may be may peoples dream to one day live in a converted barn or old mill. The problem with old mills is that they are usually in flood plans, they are hard to insulate without changing their original fabric, and for years after the milling operations have stopped bugs and rodents have made the mill their home. Adoptive usage or multiple usage should only come into play when much of the original fabric and machinery have been removed, lost or undocumented. Sometimes it is better to secure a mill structure for another generation to restore than to incorporate it into a modern usage.