In the Old World tradition of artists signing their work, ‘Invenit’, Romolo Caparelli invented the planking style concrete roof and walls for the Roslyn Grist Mill. When he wrote his message in a bottle: "This is a gift that I am giving you. Romolo Caparrelli invented the planking-style concrete roof and walls installed in 1916 and ’17. So remember us.", he was working as a mason at one of the most exciting moments in architectural history as concrete construction techniques were being invented and patented. Mr. Caparelli’s Roslyn Heights home ca. 1921 and the 1908 home designed by Frederick J. Sterner, ‘17 The Intervale’ (profiled in this week’s Roslyn Landmark Society Newsletter), are examples of concrete construction on LI as improved roads and the auto brought Roslyn within a 35 min. ride of NYC. In Suffolk, Smithtown was a one hour and 35 minute-drive via the Vanderbilt Motor Parkway, according to the Parkway’s lead planner, A.R. Pardington when he moved to Smithtown. A.R.’s colleague Fred Wagner, famous Vanderbilt Cup Race starter, also moved to Smithtown, and commissioned Gustav Stickley to be architect of his concrete home, built in 1912. Wagner introduced Stickley -- the American Arts and Crafts leader who had been promoting concrete construction for years -- to his former New Rochelle neighbor Will H. Van Guilder, who first applied for a patent for his hollow wall concrete construction method a few months after Fred’s house was built using it. The Frederick and Annie Wagner Residence (National Register, 2019: see https://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/the_residence_of_the_starter_of_five_vanderbilt_cup_races_rediscovered_in_s ) is the only documented example in the United States of a Stickley design using the Van Guilder process of hollow concrete wall construction, which created an envelope of insulating space like a ‘thermos-bottle’. First used as early as 1908 with molding machines, patented in 1911, to pour the concrete on site; the Van Guilder process was patented in 1916 at about the time Romolo Caparelli wrote his note encased in a concrete slab and placed his initials in the stucco at the Roslyn Grist Mill, putting his name to his enduring work of art.
Caparelli was the master craftsman behind the concrete sheathing of the mill, but the concept almost certainly came from Harold Godwin, who bankrolled the project. After fire almost destroyed Cedarmere (which Godwin owned) in 1902, Godwin rebuilt it using concrete and started utilizing concrete on multiple projects.
Great early photographs of the Roslyn Mill. It suggests the shape and size of the building varied during the 19th Century. It would be interesting to overlay the shape of the building today with one of those from the past. Thank you
Is there a way to get a tour of the work that was done or hear about the process? It’s fascinating and looks so beautiful! Even a Zoom call with the company doing the work.
I hope you are well. Thanks to you and the Roslyn Landmark Society for documenting this and for your kind recognition. I am so fortunate to have a great team leading this project in improving Gerry Pond Park. This park is a true gem, and I am so pleased with the work that is being done.
Comments
In the Old World tradition of artists signing their work, ‘Invenit’, Romolo Caparelli invented the planking style concrete roof and walls for the Roslyn Grist Mill. When he wrote his message in a bottle: "This is a gift that I am giving you. Romolo Caparrelli invented the planking-style concrete roof and walls installed in 1916 and ’17. So remember us.", he was working as a mason at one of the most exciting moments in architectural history as concrete construction techniques were being invented and patented. Mr. Caparelli’s Roslyn Heights home ca. 1921 and the 1908 home designed by Frederick J. Sterner, ‘17 The Intervale’ (profiled in this week’s Roslyn Landmark Society Newsletter), are examples of concrete construction on LI as improved roads and the auto brought Roslyn within a 35 min. ride of NYC. In Suffolk, Smithtown was a one hour and 35 minute-drive via the Vanderbilt Motor Parkway, according to the Parkway’s lead planner, A.R. Pardington when he moved to Smithtown. A.R.’s colleague Fred Wagner, famous Vanderbilt Cup Race starter, also moved to Smithtown, and commissioned Gustav Stickley to be architect of his concrete home, built in 1912. Wagner introduced Stickley -- the American Arts and Crafts leader who had been promoting concrete construction for years -- to his former New Rochelle neighbor Will H. Van Guilder, who first applied for a patent for his hollow wall concrete construction method a few months after Fred’s house was built using it. The Frederick and Annie Wagner Residence (National Register, 2019: see https://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/the_residence_of_the_starter_of_five_vanderbilt_cup_races_rediscovered_in_s ) is the only documented example in the United States of a Stickley design using the Van Guilder process of hollow concrete wall construction, which created an envelope of insulating space like a ‘thermos-bottle’. First used as early as 1908 with molding machines, patented in 1911, to pour the concrete on site; the Van Guilder process was patented in 1916 at about the time Romolo Caparelli wrote his note encased in a concrete slab and placed his initials in the stucco at the Roslyn Grist Mill, putting his name to his enduring work of art.
Caparelli was the master craftsman behind the concrete sheathing of the mill, but the concept almost certainly came from Harold Godwin, who bankrolled the project. After fire almost destroyed Cedarmere (which Godwin owned) in 1902, Godwin rebuilt it using concrete and started utilizing concrete on multiple projects.
From News: Newsday: At historic Roslyn Grist Mill, an unearthed bottle spills out links to the past
Warren K.
Congratulations on the incredible contributions you are making to the village of Roslyn !!!
From News: CBS 2 News: Crew Restoring Historic Roslyn Grist Mill Finds 100-Year-Old Time Capsule
A thank you to the entire Roslyn Landmark Society. So appreciated
From News: Newsday: At historic Roslyn Grist Mill, an unearthed bottle spills out links to the past
What a great idea! Love the potential to encourage kids to be curious about history and their community!
From News: Special December Offer: Roslyn Coloring Books for all Family Memberships & a Match Challenge
Fascinating history . I always enjoyed Mr. Moger’s reminiscenses of Roslyn
From Profiles: Napoleon Forget Horse Shoeing & General Blacksmithing
Bob, great suggestion! Howard
From News: The earliest known photos of the Roslyn Grist Mill taken from 1870 to 1900 Updated: 12/18/2025
Great early photographs of the Roslyn Mill. It suggests the shape and size of the building varied during the 19th Century. It would be interesting to overlay the shape of the building today with one of those from the past. Thank you
Bob, great suggestion! Howard
From News: The earliest known photos of the Roslyn Grist Mill taken from 1870 to 1900 Updated: 12/18/2025
GREAT AND RICH HISTORY THANK YOU
From Profiles: Napoleon Forget Horse Shoeing & General Blacksmithing
All Comments were submitted to the Village of East Hill on November 5, 2020. Thanks for the feedback. Howard Kroplick
From News: Update: Village of East Hills posts environmental impact statement on Mackay House for public comment
Pam D:
Is there a way to get a tour of the work that was done or hear about the process? It’s fascinating and looks so beautiful! Even a Zoom call with the company doing the work.
From News: Town of North Hempstead's Gerry Pond Park Project in Roslyn Continues to Make Great Progress
Councilmember Veronica Lurvey
I second what Judi said. Great photos, Howard!
Veronica Lurvey
Councilmember, District 4
Town of North Hempstead
(516) 869-7704
From News: Town of North Hempstead's Gerry Pond Park Project in Roslyn Continues to Make Great Progress
Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth
Dear Howard,
I hope you are well. Thanks to you and the Roslyn Landmark Society for documenting this and for your kind recognition. I am so fortunate to have a great team leading this project in improving Gerry Pond Park. This park is a true gem, and I am so pleased with the work that is being done.
Best,
Judi
From News: Town of North Hempstead's Gerry Pond Park Project in Roslyn Continues to Make Great Progress