After months of anticipation, the Nassau County Legislature recently approved a $2.65 million bond act to be used for the renovation of the Roslyn Grist Mill, one of the village's oldest historical buildings---and one in most dire need of repairs.

Grist Mill renovation has been one of the major priorities of the current Roslyn Village administration. When the passage was announced last Friday, Roslyn Mayor Janet Galante was able to celebrate the occasion with the village's Grist Mill Committee and several Nassau County politicians, including Supervisor Thomas R. Gulotta, Legislators Barbara Johnson, John Canning and Bruce Blakeman, who is also presiding officer of the legislative body. The local dignitaries were joined by other supporters of the renovation process for a brief tour of the Grist Mill, which, while waiting for the bond to come through, has already seen some minor renovations take place.

While a complete renovation is far from complete, the passage of the bond act marks a major turning point in the process. As such, there was plenty of credit to go around for last Friday's turn of events.

Mr. Blakeman thanked the Grist Mill Committee for bringing the seriousness of the situation to the attention of the legislator. He especially praised Roslyn Mayor Janet Galante. "If not for your effort," he said, speaking of the mayor, "the condition of the mill would not have come to our attention." He added that the purpose of such a restoration effort was to "preserve historic sites....and the historic character of Roslyn" itself.

Tom Gulotta cited Mr. Blakeman and other Nassau County legislators, namely Ms. Johnson and Mr. Canning for their work on the bond issue.

Janet Galante called the day a "most special moment," adding that she was "honored to be part of the [Grist Mill] committee." Returning Mr. Blakeman's compliment, Mayor Galante cited the legislator for being available to deal with the bond act. "I look forward to working together with the county on the full restoration," she said.

Roslyn Landmark Society president Les Arstark added that the bond act was a "hopeful beginning for a valuable project not just for Roslyn, but the North Shore and Nassau County."

Fellow Landmark member John Collins called the bond passage "the realization of one of Dr. Roger Gerry's dreams. The Grist Mill is the key building in Roslyn in that it has national significance."

On a lighter note, longtime Roslyn resident Marshall Ward expressed his hope that "a year from now, the powers-that-be will bang a bottle of champagne against the old gal," speaking, of course, of the Grist Mill.

Last Friday's news was the culmination of over a year's work in both raising money and public awareness in the condition of the over 300-year-old wood structure.

In March, 1997, Dr. Gordon Jacoby, a research scientist at Columbia University told members of the Landmark Society that time was running out for any effective renovation of the structure. The wood from the Grist Mill, Dr. Jacoby said, was "born" in 1680. Needless to say, its condition was deteriorating, making any renovation work an urgent proposition.

Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Gulotta gave the renovation process a major boost forward when he endorsed the idea of a bond act to pay for much of the work. In the meantime, the Grist Mill Committee went through with their own fund-raising activities, holding an auction at the George Washington Manor that featured contributions by such corporate heavyweights as The New York Times, NBC, and Lowes/Sony Theaters and local businesses, including Giordino Cafe, Friend of A Farmer, Diane's Restaurant and the Roslyn Deli.

The committee also gathered over 1,000 signatures from local residents to a petition imploring the legislator to pass the bond act. Last Friday, the petition was presented to Legislator Blakeman.

While the Grist Mill may not be as famous as the Clock Tower, it has its own long and colorful history. Many Long Islanders remember it as the locale for a popular Tea House, which attracted both common citizens and movie star celebrities.

The mill's first owner was John Robinson who built the structure at around 1701. The mill's ownership changed hands several times over the next decades. In 1758, the mill was purchased by Heinrich Onderdonk, scion of a prominent Hempstead family. Onderdonk family members served as spies against the British during the Revolutionary War. After the war, General George Washington visited the family house in Roslyn while on his victory tour of the island. Today, the house is the George Washington Manor, where a fund raiser for the Grist Mill renovation was held.

In all, the mill operated for the benefit of Long Island farmers up until 1916, an amazing 215-year run. Three years later, under the directorship of Alice Titus, the mill was converted into a Tea House. The facility was popular among young families and also numerous literary people as well as actors and artists. The Roslyn author Christopher Morley was a frequent guest, as were such well-known actors as Raymond Massey and Leslie Howard.