| Stony Brook Grist Mill | |
| Location: | Harbor Road, West of Main Street Stony Brook, New York |
| Coordinates: | 40.9149°N -73.1476°W |
| Added: | August 3, 1990 |
| Refnum: | 90001140 |
The Stony Brook Grist Mill is a Registered Historic Place property in Stony Brook, Suffolk County, New York.[1] Its construction in 1699 created the Mill Pond astride the Brookhaven-Smithtown boundary.[2] The mill structure itself dates back to at least circa 1751.
The Stony Brook Grist Mill, renowned as Long Island's most fully operational mill, holds a prestigious position on both the National and New York State Registers of Historic Places.
For over three centuries, the Stony Brook Grist Mill has stood as an integral community landmark within the Three Village area.
In the late 1800s, a vineyard flourished on the island within the Mill Pond's confines. Catawba grapes, harvested from this vineyard, underwent pressing and fermentation within the Stony Brook Grist Mill. The resulting wine was then bottled in Brooklyn and distributed through a nearby tavern. In earlier eras, the mill served as the bustling nucleus of community life. Residents gathered to exchange news and gossip while awaiting the miller's processing of their grains. Alois Kopriva, a Polish immigrant, enriched these social gatherings with his captivating violin performances, often featuring lively gypsy music. Notably, Kopriva also championed women's suffrage rights during his tenure.
Even into the 1950s, local farmers continued to rely on the mill's services, bringing their wheat and corn for grinding. Miller Schaefer specialized in milling natural wheat, producing "health food" that gained popularity nationwide, with shipments reaching customers in 42 states.[3]
The Stony Brook Mill Pond, nourished by flowing streams and the devoted anglers of the Mill Pond Fishing Club, is a story of natural splendor and community spirit.
For 67 years, club members have gathered along the Pond's tranquil shores, seeking both tranquility and camaraderie amidst Stony Brook's serene ambiance. Their meetings transcend mere fishing outings, evolving into cherished social affairs often concluded with shared meals at Stony Brook Village.
Driven by a steadfast commitment to environmental preservation, the club upholds rigorous catch-and-release practices, safeguarding the Pond's delicate ecosystem. Through meticulous trout stocking efforts and the celebration of thriving largemouth bass populations, they maintain the Pond's ecological equilibrium. Furthermore, the Pond serves as a haven for a diverse array of wildlife, from graceful deer to tranquil turtles and an abundance of aquatic birds, inviting observers to revel in nature's magnificence.[4]
Today the Ward Melville Heritage Organization owns and operates the mill as a working mill museum.[5]