The Roslyn Grist Mill is a rare surviving Dutch-framed colonial watermill purposely built for industrial use. It operated as a working water mill for over 150 years.
In 1698, John Robeson (later Robinson) was granted permission by the Town of Hempstead to establish a grist mill at the Head of Hempstead Harbor on Old Northern Boulevard in Roslyn. Shortly afterwards, Robinson built and began operating his grist mill. The approval Robeson received was obtained under the condition that the mill would be constructed and in operation within two years.
By 1709, Robinson sold the mill in what would be the first of several transfers the Roslyn Grist Mill would experience as ownership changed hands over the next three centuries. On April 24, 1790, the owner of the grist mill Hendrick Onderdonk was visited by President George Washington in his Roslyn residence adjoining the grist mill. Washington referred to the grist mill in his diary.
In 1916, the Hicks family sold the mill to a board of five trustees including Harold Godwin, the grandson of William Cullen Bryant. Their goal was to restore the building to become a museum of industrial arts. From 1916 to 1917, the historic timber beams were reinforced and a concrete base was installed to support the foundation. A concrete floor on the first floor was placed and concrete put on the exterior designed to appear like the original plank boards. The museum opened on June 30, 1917.
From 1920 to 1974, the grist mill building served as a tea house and was a tourist attraction to the village. The building was placed on the National Historic Register of Historic Places in 1986. From 2015 to 2020, $3.1 million was given from New York State, Nassau County, trusts foundations and members of the government grants, trust awards and members of the Roslyn Landmark Society.
The restoration began in November 2018 by the Roslyn Landmark Society. On January 23, 2020, the structure was raised eight feet above ground level in order to construct a future new foundation. The new foundation was completed in November 2021. On May 28, 2022, the structure was lowered to street level for the first time in over 100 years. In April 2023, the restored historic timber frame was being re-installed. On February 10, 2025, the final restored and new rafters were installed. The topping off was celebrated with the timber frame tradition of placing an evergreen branch on the highest peak of the building.
Source:
“Roslyn Grist Mill.” Roslyn Landmark Society, www.roslynlandmarks.org/profiles/roslyn-grist-mill. Accessed 18 May 2026
