On Wednesday, October 3, 2024, Congressman Tom Suozzi visited the Roslyn Grist Mill to celebrate Roslyn Landmark Society’s receipt of its first reimbursement through the Save America’s Treasures grant program. During his visit, members of the Roslyn Landmark Society’s Board of Trustees and staff presented Congressman Suozzi with a Certificate of Appreciation for his sponsorship of the grant and ongoing support of the Roslyn Grist Mill’s restoration.
Located on Old Northern Boulevard in the center of the historic Village of Roslyn, the Roslyn Grist Mill is a rare surviving Dutch-framed watermill purposely built for industrial use. In 1698, John Robeson was granted permission to establish a grist and fulling mill on the site of the present mill at the head of Hempstead Harbor. While the 1698 agreement was later made void by Robeson's default, he went on to build "Robison's Mill Dam" on the site between 1701 and 1709. In 1709, he and his son, Joseph, sold the mill. Between 1715 and 1741, it was rebuilt and expanded.
As the first commercial building in the community, it served as the economic heart of the village for over one hundred and fifty years. President George Washington visited the site during his grand tour of Long Island following the American Revolution in 1790. It is also believed the location was used by Long Island’s Underground Railroad network.
Congressman Suozzi has long supported the restoration of this historic site as an integral part of Long Island’s cultural heritage. In 2022, he included the Roslyn Grist Mill as one of fifteen local projects in New York’s 3rd Congressional District to receive community funding for fiscal year 2023. Due to Congressman Suozzi’s instrumental support, the Roslyn Landmark Society was subsequently awarded $500,000 from the Save America’s Treasures grant program through the Historic Preservation Fund administered by the National Park Service.
The Save America’s Treasures grant is playing an integral role in completing Phase 2 of the Roslyn Grist Mill’s restoration, which includes restoring and reinstalling the mill’s roof framing, shingles, exterior siding, windows, doors, and interior flooring. Phase 2 of the project began in September 2023 and is expected to be complete by spring 2025, allowing for limited public access to the building to begin.
“I'm happy to be here at the Roslyn Grist Mill today, where we're celebrating the next phase in this very important project where people have worked so hard for so many years,” stated Congressman Tom Suozzi. “We brought some money in from the federal government to try and make this important part of our history continue for all time. So many people have worked together for the Roslyn Landmark Society from Federal, State, local governments, local community members, and sponsors all working together to make sure we preserve this important part of our history.”
“We appreciate Congressman Suozzi’s key role in initiating the Save America’s Treasures grant and his wonderful support for preserving our community’s history,” said Howard Kroplick, co-president of the Roslyn Landmark Society. “With the strong support of our government officials, historic foundations and trusts, and members and sponsors of the Roslyn Landmark Society, we look forward to restoring this historic Dutch-framed building and opening it as an important educational center and Long Island tourist attraction.”
The Roslyn Landmark Society continues to seek additional funding to complete the restoration of the Roslyn Grist Mill. Interested sponsors are encouraged to visit RoslynLandmarks.org or contact the organization directly for more information on how to assist in preserving this significant historic structure.
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