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YAPHANK HISTORJCAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER.

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JULY~AUGUST, 2012

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C ALE N D A R > See Page 5 for Julv, August, & September Events

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Coming This October 2012 - Arcadia to Publish

Imaqes of America - Yaphank

Book Description: "Known for itssawmills and gristmills, Yaphank wasestablished in 1726 on the banks of the

Carmans River on Long Island. CalledMillville until 1844, it was then named

Yaphank, "bank of the river." Its two lakesmark the boundaries of the historic

district, with Main Street winding betweenthem. Though the mills are long gone,

many of the period homes from the 18thand 19th centuries remain, illustrating the

history of the village and those who livedthere. From the early days of the AmericanRevolution, patriots marched on the

Tallmadge Trail, and later, its young menwent to fight for the Union cause in theCivil War. In 1871, Suffolk County's firstalmshouse was built to take care of the

less fortunate. As World War I rumblings

were heard, nearby Camp Upton-where

Irving Berlin wrote the musical Yip, Yip, Yaphank-drew thousands of soldiers.

Tricia Folev is a designer, author, and trustee of the Yaphank Historical Society.Karen Mouzakes is a retired teacher and historian of the Yaphank Historical Society.

Photographs were contributed by the Longwood Public Library, the Town ofBrookhaven, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, and the Yaphank Historical Society."

REM IND. E R > Voting for YHSBoard Members will take place at theo General Meeting, August 16, 2012 at the Hawkins House. All members ino good standing are eligible to cast a vote there. Outstanding dues may alsoo be payable at that meeting. See pages 7 & 8 for full election information.

Victorian Harvest Tea

Homan House Restoration

P.O. Box 111

Yaphank. NY 11980-0111

www.vaphankhistorical.orq

631.924.3401

From the Curator

July - SeptemberEvents Calendar

Life Below the Stairs

From the Historian

President's Message

Inside this issue:

Election Information

Librarian ­

Historian - Karen Mouzake

Curator - Helen Kalbach

3-Vr. Trustee - Tricia Foley

2-Yr. Trustee -Kathy Schmidt &Lucille Stroud

1-Yr Trustee - Walter Maresco &Sue Maresco

Meetings: Third Thursday of theMonth; 7:30PM, Hawkins House.

Newsletter Editor: Peqqv Judd

Yaphank Historical Society Newsletter Page 2

I first came to Yaphank in 1945 at the ripe old age of three. My parents had purchased a summer bungalow inYaphank for $450. It had no water and an outhouse, but we were on this beautiful lake. We lived in Flushing at thetime and it was quite a trek to get to our "summer house". We had to come out along Jericho Turnpike since there was

no expressway. But come we did and we loved it. We came out every weekend and we also stayed for the entiresummer.

I grew up on the lakes, boating in the old wooden rowboat that my father had purchased for $10. Every year wehad to caulk it and paint it to keep it afloat. We fished on the lake catching bass, perch, trout and pike. We went turtle

catching, filling the bottom of the boat before turning them all loose to catch them another day. We went swimming atthe lake and we learned how to swim with the free lessons given by the Red Cross at the park down by the spillway at

the upper lake.

As kids we loved our lakes and that feeling has not changed in all these years. I look at the lakes and I just know howfortunate we are to have these gems in our beautiful town of Yaphank.

Unfortunately the lakes are heavily impacted by invasive weeds. Swimming, fishing and boating have been severelycurtailed by these invasives. The Town, County, and local residents and environmental groups have been working hard

for the last five years looking for the right solution to the problem. We have finally come up with the solution (shallowdredging) that we think is the best way to clean up the lakes and is the least destructive to the environment.

The Town is working on getting the funds together for this long overdue project. We are finally going to get ourlakes back. Much credit goes to the committee, Councilwoman Kepert, Legislator Kate Browning and all of the otherpeople who have worked so long and hard on this project.

• Peter Endriss, Coram, NY

• Chris Hanley, Ridge, NY

• Jean & Jim Vavrina, Medford, NY

• Betty Budny, Bellport, NY

• Robert W. Dickieson, livonia, MI

Funds for this newsletter were provided bythe Suffolk County Legislature, Kate

Browning, 3rd Legislative District.

Thank YOU!

2012, Councilwoman Connie Kepert

attended the Yaphank Historical Society's toast to the Mary Louise

Booth Lilac Gardenon Main Street in Yaphank. the restored MaryLouiseBooth house (c. 1829) celebrated its official opening onAugust 20, 20ll,hosted by the Yaphank Historical Society Board ofDirectors, along with the members of the Booth House Committee.Mary Louise Booth was born in Yaphank in 1831 and was aprominent American editor, writer, and translator who worked asthe editor of Harpers Bazaar from 1867 until her death in 1889.

She also translated many great works of French literature into the

English language.

Councilwoman Kepert remarked "It was a pleasure to be invitedto admire the wonderful job the Yaphank Historical Society and YHSTreasurer Audrey Kessler& Councilwoman Kepert

the Booth House Committee have done to preserve Yaphank'sHistorical District. As a high school history teacher, I know that it is extremely important for community groups such as

these to exist in order to enhance the knowledge of, and promote interest in, all facets of history."

Yaphank Historical Society Newsletter

by Karen Mouzakes

Page 3

The Homan-Gerard House stands on Yaphank

Avenue diagonally across the street from the RobertHewlett Hawkins House. It is owned by Suffolk County and

is part of the Suffolk County Historic Trust. It is also on theNational Register of Historic Places. The YaphankHistorical Society and Suffolk County Historic Services

have begun restoration of the Homan-Gerard House.

The first mention of the Homan House is in

Brookhaven Town Records in 1762, when John Homan is

granted permission to build a sawmill south of his houseon the Connecticut River. In all probability, the Homan

House of today stands where that original 1762 housestood and shares a part of that earlier house's stonefoundation. John Homan died later that year and his willensures his widow one room in the house, a bedstead,

firewood, use of a milking cow and sufficient quantities of

sugar, pork, beef and corn. The sawmill is left to his sonDaniel Homan who soon expands operations with theaddition of a gristmill and a bolting mill. Grist and sawmillswere vital to the local economy making Daniel Homan a

wealthy man. It was Daniel Homan who built or rebuiltthe Homan House in the federal stylein 1790.

Daniel Homan Jr. took overthe mill after his father's death andran the mills until 1821. With Daniel

Homan Jr.'s death in 1821, the house

and the mills parted company. Themills were sold to Robert Hawkins, a

wealthy landowner and farmer, for$5,000. The Homan House was notincluded in the sale. Daniel Homan

Jr.'s sister, Deborah Homan

Buckingham, and her husband Jonas kept the house. TheHoman Family Burial ground is just north of the HomanHouse. Many Homans are buried there. Because Deborah

Homan Buckingham and Jonas lived in the house, thecemetery became known as the Buckingham Cemetery.

Meanwhile at the mill, Robert Hawkins brought

his young nephew Robert Hawkins Gerard into his familyand taught him the trade. Hawkins Gerard, as the youngman was known, inherited the mills upon his uncle'sdeath and tore down the old gristmill and replaced it with

a larger, finer mill. When Hawkins Gerard's brother is lostat sea, Hawkins Gerard takes in his nephew Edward L.Gerard and teaches him the family business. E.L. Gerard

opened a lumber yard at the mill. He later inherits themills and marries Agnes Cook. It is around this time that

the Homan House passes to E.L. Gerard. There is no cleardocumentation as to when this actually happened, but

the Homan House and the Yaphank Mills are together

once again by 1873.

E.L. Gerard and Agnes raise four children in theHoman-Gerard House: Fanny, Robert, Catherine and

Charles. Only Catherine and Charles survive to adulthood.E. L. Gerard is a popular businessman, and beloved in thevillage for his gentle ways. While he and Agnes live in thehouse, a back addition is constructed along with aVictorian porch on the south side of the house. WhenEdward dies in 1899, Agnes continues to run the YaphankMills on her own. She also rents rooms to summer visitors

from the city. She advertises in the Brooklyn Eagle

newspaper that her millpond offers swimming, fishing andboating.

However, mills run by water

, wheels are becoming obsolete andby 1915, Agnes is having somefina ncia I difficulties. She is

unsuccessful in mortgaging the

property. In 1919 the Yaphank Millsburn.

A new smaller sawmill is built on

the site, but it is unsuccessful. In1922, the Homan-Gerard House

and mill property are sold to AnsonW. Hard at public auction for $7,000. For a short while theHoman-Gerard House is used as a games keeper's

cottage, but it is eventually allowed to remain vacant.Kenneth Hard inherits the property and uses it as a gunclub. In 1963, he sells it to Suffolk County to becomeSouthaven Park.

The Homan-Gerard House has remained empty all

of these many years. It remains a sentinel of the past. In

the next few years of restoration, we can watch this lovelyhouse revert back to the lovely home that it once was.

Yaphank Historical Society NewsletterPage 4

by Kayann Donaldson

During the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901), almost everyone either had servants or had been one at some

time in their life. The Census in 1891 reveals that there were almost two million indoor servants alone, including over

100,000 children under the age ?f 15. Life above and below stairs was very different. A system of bells in the

servants' hall showed where and when service was needed. Servants were not to stray into the family's areas, inside

or out, except on business. If seen, servants were told to stand still and look at the floor, or turn to the wall, and they

also had to stay away from windows in order not to be seen from the outside.

The kitchen, the servants' hall, and

the butler's pantry made up the main

working areas below stairs. At mealtimes

the cook and housekeeper sat at one end,

butler or steward at the other end, and the juniors between. Work was hardest in the morning. Maids cleaned the

public areas. At the end of the morning lunch was served. Maids at this time might change into black dresses with lace

caps and aprons.

The early risers, usually the scullery maid and the page, would be up by 5:30 a.m., scrubbing and sweeping the

kitchen areas, distributing hot water for tea and shaving to the senior servants, and putting breakfast out in the

servants' hall. By 7:00 a.m. the maids

were busy getting the tea trays for the

family and the nursery breakfast.

Afterward, they brought down the

chamber pots for emptying. The butler

unlocked the shutters and doors, and

pulled back blinds so the housemaids

could light the fires in the fireplaces, black

the grates, and then polish and dust

downstairs. Before the family's morning

prayers were held, the cook had already

taken some deliveries and consulted with

the gardener about what fruit and

vegetables she would include in the lunch

and dinner menus.

5:30 am6:00 am6:30 am

7:30 am

7:45 am8:30 am9:00 am9:30 am

12:00 pm1:00 pm2:30 pm4:30 pm5:30 pm6:00 pm7:00 pm9:00 pm10:00 pm

The Maid's DayCleankitchenHeatwaterWakeseniors,layand light fires,

layservants'breakfast,delivernurserybreakfast

Water andtea-traysto family,emptychamberpots

Servant'sbreakfastPrayersFamilybreakfastClearandcleanLunch,servant'shall and nurseryFamilylunchClearlunch,restTea-traysfor householdServant'stea, nurseryteaLaydinner,help in kitchenFamilydinner,serveandclearServant'ssupperBed

The schedule clearly shows that the servant's day was long and definitely busy. Sleep probably came easily.

Maids usually had very little free time each week to visit family and/or take care of personal business.

Resources: Hayward, Edward, "Lite in an English Country House", Pitkin Guides, Pitkin Unichrome Ltd., 1998.

Yaphank Historical Society Newsletter

From the Curator

by Helen Kalbach

This summer the Booth House will be included on

Summer Sunday afternoon tours from 1:00 to 4:00 pm for

docent guided tours. Although we have many items still toacquire for the House, most of the basics are in place.

Of particular interest is the kitchen and pantry.These two areas provide an insight into daily life in the

early 1800s. On entering the kitchen you will notice thereis no sink ... no running water ... no refrigerator ... nostove. All cooking was done in the fireplace with various

arms coming from the wall of the fireplace to handlehanging pots for meals, coffee pots for refreshment, and

baking utensils for breads and cakes. A dry sink wouldhave been common to perform many kitchen tasks ­

preparing food, washing dishes, and cleaning chores.Water would have been brought into the house from theoutside. The floors would have been swept every day.

The candles and lamps would have been replaced or

refilled each day as well.

The pantry is a treasure trove of kitchenwareitems of the period. There are many utensils, containers,

jugs, bowls, plates and assorted silverware. All were madeof wood, creamwarejchinajporcelain, or pewter or base

metal. As you look at the shelves, can you identify aporringer? a pewter tankard? a bisque jug? a buttermold? a coin silver tablespoon with initials "MLB" or"MB"? a creamware basket? an ironstone compote?Life certainly was simpler then ...

The Booth Pantry - Can you name these objects?

Page 5

YAPHANK HISTORJCAL SOCIETY

JULY - SEPTEMBER UPCOMING EVENTS

July & Au~ust Booth House Museum OpenEvery Sunday Afternoon from 1:00 -4:00pm,Booth House Museum, Main Street, Yaphank

A Docent will be available to provide a tourand answer your questions.

July & Au~ust Hawkins House Open for ToursEvery Sunday Afternoon from 1:00 -4:00pm,Booth House Museum, Main Street, YaphankA Docent will be available to provide a tour

and answer your questions.

The Gift Shop will be open during tours.

July General Meetin~Thursday, July 19th, 7:30pm, Hawkins House

Guest Speaker will be George FisherProgram: "Long Island Bottles and Bottling Factories"A sampling of locally found bottles will be on display.

Refreshments will follow the program.

Au~ust General Meetin~--Elections

Thursday, August 16th, 7:30pm, Hawkins HouseVoting for Historical Society Officers and Trustees.There will not be a guest speaker at this meeting.

Refreshments will follow the election process

and business meeting.

Fall Community Yard SaleSaturday, September 15th, 9:00am-4:00pm,(No Rain Date) Donation: $5.00 per vendor

Set up on the Hawkins House Lawns.Call 631-924-2241 if you have questions.

September General MeetingThursday, September 20th, 7:30pm, Hawkins House

Guest Speaker will be Melissa Griffiths

Program: "A Day on the Carmans River"Refreshments will follow the program.

Victorian Harvest Tea

Saturday, September 29th, Hawkins House, 2:00-5:00pmDonation is $25 per person

Reservations: call Kayann Donaldson, 631-395-9870

Keep current with all our events by visiting ourwebsite: www.vaphankhistorical.or~

Yaphank Historical Society Newsletter

by Peggy Judd

Page 6

You will all be happy to learn that serious restoration work has "finally" begun on the Homan House. You may have

noticed work crews on site these past few weeks. Suffolk County and the Yaphank Historical Society have beenworking toward the restoration of this House for a number of years, but actual restoration work was seriously stalled.The Historic District Committee, comprised of members of the Society and Suffolk County Historic ServicesDepartment, along with support from Legislator Kate Browning, has been instrumental in bringing this project to the

top of the County's list of historic. restoration projects. Considerable work has been completed during the past fewmonths, including establishing contracts with the appropriate architectural and construction organizations.

In preparation for the building stabilization process, several meetings with the General Contractor and various

subcontractors have been held and a complete review of the existing architectural and structural documentation wascompleted.

An appropriate technique for stabilizing the House to ensuresafety and durability is the first crucial step in the actual

construction phase. For the main portion of the House, a decisionhas been made to insert several steel beams through holes in thefoundation to support the structure. Work has begun on this. Forthe back portion of the House, the House will be raised very slightlyto allow repairs to be made to the stone work. Once repairs arecompleted, the back portion of the House will be lowered back

down to its "original" position. Further stabilization work will berequired to repair the chimney (support from beneath andthroughout the House) before the House can be consideredcompletely safe for interior work to begin.

Other Exterior work includes:

• Chain link fencing was installed surrounding theconstruction site as a safety measure.

• A storage unit for construction equipment was placed on site.• Two large, but diseased and rotting, locust trees were removed

from the front of the House.

• Split rail fencing was installed to the south of the driveway.• Debris was removed from the original barn site and surrounding

area.

• Debris was removed from around the House and back shed.

• Picket fencing was installed in front of the House.• Several windows were removed and boarded.

• Several areas of siding were removed.

In a crucial first step, steel beams were insertedthrough the foundation to support the structure.

Mill gears found on site.

We expect this project to quickly move forward and we will keep you informed as therestoration project continues.

Yaphank Historical Society Newsletter

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Page 9

There will be a delicious array of assorted tea sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, assorted pastriesfor dessert, and "Lady Grey" tea.

Donation is $25 per person.

Please call Kayann Donaldson to make your reservations at (631)395-9870.

Hope to see you there!

~~/etQ~m~~.~~tMhou4e~tDtM~~a,j~hxLt. "

- ~JamlJi

Yaphank Historical SocietyP.O. Box 111

Yaphank, New York 11980-0111

Please enroll me as:

( ) Active Member

( ) Contributing Member( ) Life Member( ) Patron Member( ) Benefactor Member

Name

Address

$20.001person - $17.50/Senior Citizen (62+)$25.001couple - $22.50/Senior Couple (62+)$50.00$100.001person - $75.00/Senior (62+)$300.00$500.00

Telephone #

E-Mail:

Town State Zip Code

Yaphank Historical Society Newsletter Page 10

If you are interested in having your businesscard printed in the Yaphank Historical Society newsletter, you may do so fora $50 donation per year. Please leave a phone number message at the Hawkins House, (631 )924-3401

OR (631 )924-2241.Our members support our local businesses.

RobeJt Kessler Inc.

WHOLESALERETAIL

Don Cerce

r.O.Box 2

Yaphank, NY 11980

(631)345-3373

STAND: (631) 924-7444HOME: (631) 924-5178

Ph. (631)924-2241Fax (631) 924-22.36Cell (516) 44S-4668Cell (516) 574-1131'

Slone Masons

PO Box 584Yaphank, NY 11980

Pumpkjn Patefi !Farm Stand'Farm Fresh Vegetables &Perennials - Annuals

ROBERT N. KANDELL INSURANCE& :FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC

Certified Financial Planner

142 Long IslandAvenue Pal & Don AllenYaphank, NY 11980 Owners

WlWI.pumpklnpatchfarmstand.com

Life, Health, DisabilityLong Term Care, AutoHomeowners, Commercial

Workers Compensation, Flood

5 Amys PathEast Quogue, N.Y. 11942

Ph.lFax (631) 653-3911E~mai1 - kandellr@aoLcom

Restorer of Period HoJt1Iles

Furniture Maker

191 Old Stump RoadBrookhaven, New York 11719

Cell 631-576-9510Ph/Fax 631-286·2830

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Coalition

To Save 1'he Ya.2.hank Lakes

www .savetheyaphanklakes.org

1'.O.Box 623 Ph: 631-924-2241Yaphank., NY 11980 cmail;csy!@savctbcyaplw,kJak.(,"!>,org

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church244 E. Main Street

Yaphank, NY 11980631-924-5083

Summer Sunday Service: 9:30 A.M.All Are Welcome