Renovation Projects Keep RLS Busy

By Joe Scotchie

Of all the factors that make Roslyn a unique village, an ambitious renovation and preservation program for its old, historic houses ranks near the top.

In the early 1960's, when the village was threatened by "urban renewal" projects, Roger and Peggy Gerry, two longtime Roslyn residents, formed the Roslyn Landmark Society. Renovation, preservation and educational programs were the hallmarks of the new society. Over the years, the RLS added on new features, such as tours of the village's older, more historic homes.

Over the past five years, the society's two most ambitious projects have included restoration of the Ellen E. Ward Memorial Clock Tower (the village's most recognizable landmark) and the Williams-Robeson Grist Mill.

The Clock Tower celebrated its centennial in 1996. Currently, three of the four sides of the clock tell correct time. The RLS, for its part, awarded a contract for restoration of two sides of the Clock Tower.

An equally ambitious project is restoration of the Grist Mill. While the Clock Tower is only 100 years old, the Grist Mill, built in 1701, is nearly its 300th anniversary.

Needless to say, restoration of this structure is of a more urgent nature than what was needed for the sturdy Clock Tower. For much of this century, the Grist Mill housed a popular tea room which attracted customers from all over the island. Now, the building is empty, its wood structure is rotting and professionals have warned that full-scale restoration must happen soon.

Toward that end, both the village and the RLS have formed a "1701 Grist Mill Committee" to secure the necessary renovation funding. This past fall, a successful fundraiser was held at George Washington Manor. But a bond act that would provide up to $1 million in renovation funds is key to the project. The Grist Mill is currently owned by Nassau County. County Executive Thomas R. Gulotta has traveled to Roslyn to several occasions to reiterate his support for the bond act which must be approved by the Nassau County legislator.

Other renovation projects that occupied the RLS this past year included the Jerusha Dewey House, the World War I Memorial at Tower Square and the Milliken-Bevin Trellis at the Nassau County Museum of Art.

In the upcoming year, the society hopes to continue its lecture series and annual tour of historic houses, an event which usually takes place in June.

Building/Alteration Design

In order to improve relations between the society, homeowners and future village businesses, the RLS hopes to publish a "Building/Alterations Design" guide. According to RLS officials, residents and businesses come to Roslyn because they "want the advantages of the lifestyle and rich environment it provides." However, too often, they "engage in attempting to destroy the very essence and values" which make Roslyn unique: namely, its standards based on historic tradition and excellence.

Lack of knowledge about such local standards is cited by the RLS as a major reason for these sometimes contentious developments. The RLS hopes the new guide will give proper information to both new homeowners and businesses and avoid confrontations between those two groups and the RLS.