Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation Awards $52,700 Grant for Repairs
The Van Wyck Lefferts Tide Mill Sanctuary LLC is pleased to announce it has received a $52,700 grant from the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation to support critical restoration efforts at the historic Van Wyck Lefferts Tide Mill. The funding will be used to repair the mill’s deteriorating bulkhead and restore its original weir gate—an essential mechanism for controlling the volume of tidal water flowing through the dam.
The Van Wyck Lefferts Tide Mill, located at the head of a coastal inlet on Long Island’s North Shore, is a rare and remarkable example of 19th-century American tidal mill engineering. Constructed in the early 1800s, the mill once harnessed the power of the tides to grind grain, serving as a vital part of the regional agricultural economy. Today, it remains one of the last intact tidal mills in the United States, offering unique insight into the ingenuity of early American industry and coastal life.
“This generous grant allows us to complete vital repairs that protect both the physical structure of the mill and the delicate balance of the surrounding environment,” said Robert Hamburger, President of the Van Wyck Lefferts Tide Mill Sanctuary LLC. “Restoring the weir gate, in particular, will help us better manage water flow into the mill pond, which is crucial to preserving the habitat and preventing damage to the dam that is critical to the mill’s foundation.”
In addition to its historical value, the mill and its adjacent pond support a thriving natural ecosystem. The sanctuary is home to a variety of native bird species and waterfowl, including herons, egrets, ospreys, and migratory ducks. The repairs funded by the grant will help maintain this habitat by stabilizing the dam structure and allowing for more precise water level management, benefiting both the wildlife and the historic building itself.
The Van Wyck Lefferts Tide Mill Sanctuary LLC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving this unique site for educational, historical, and environmental enrichment. Long-term plans include continuing guided tours, expanding interpretive signage, and offering programming to engage the public in the story of tide mill technology and its role in New York’s maritime past.
Established in 1987, the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation primarily supports the study of New York State History. Robert David Lion Gardiner was, until his death in August 2004, the 16th lord of the Manor of Gardiner’s Island, NY. The Gardiner family and their descendants have owned Gardner’s Island since 1739, obtained as part of a royal grant from King Charles 1 of England. The Foundation is inspired by Robert David Lion Gardiner’s personal passion for New York history. For more information, please visit rdlgfoundation.org.