AboutTown

This microcosm of America’s past is not to be missed. Its original builder, Luis Moses Gomez, a Jew, fled the Spanish Inquisition in 1695, ending up in America. Ten years later, Queen Anne of England granted him an Act of Denization–the right to conduct business and own property. In addition to becoming a business leader in the New York Jewish community, Gomez contributed to causes such as the construction of Trinity Episcopal Church steeple (NYC). He was instrumental in founding the first Synagogue in the new world, and served as its first president.

In 1714, Gomez built a single-story fieldstone blockhouse and with the help of his five sons, traded European and Caribbean goods with Native Americans and new settlers.

Wolfer Acker bought the Gomez house in 1772 adding a second story of handmade local brick. With Acker, the house became a center of activism during the Revolutionary War. He encouraged like-minded neighbors to enlist with him in the Minuteman Militia. Acker operated a sawmill, Hudson River packet sloop and ferry service.

The Gomez Mill House was next owned by Edward Armstrong, who purchased the property in 1835, but lived elsewhere. His son, Henry, lived at the Mill House with his family for the next 60 years.

Dard Hunter, legendary Arts and Crafts figure, bought Mill House in 1912 from John A Staples, a furniture merchant and friend of Gustav Stickley, famous designer and manufacturer of Mission furniture.

Hunter built a new mill on the property for the production of handmade paper. Hunter’s writings on paper making, typography, and book printing are studied today.

After WWII, the Starin family purchased the property and lived there raising four children. Mildred Starin enriched the house, furnishings, and gardens with the help of Board members and advocates for the house. Gomez Mill House was placed on the National Register of Historical Places in 1973. Since then, efforts to restore and preserve the house, grounds and out buildings have been ongoing.

As one of the oldest continuously lived-in residences in the US, the Gomez Mill House is an education in economics, government, culture, architecture, and history.

My favorite things: The original Act of Denization given to Gomez by Queen Anne. The door knocker presented to Dard Hunter by WW Denslow, illustrator for the Wizard of Oz. The deed from Gomez to his son in 1754. Gustav Stickley chandeliers. Dard Hunter’s mill house.

Gomez Mill House is located a short distance off Route 9W on Mill House Road, Marlboro (ten miles south of the Poughkeepsie Bridge and 5.2 miles north of the Newburgh Beacon Bridge). Look for sign on the east side of Route 9W.
845-236-3126
www.gomez.org | gomezmillhouse@juno.com
Hours: Wednesday–Sunday 10am–4pm, guided tours: 10:30am, 1:15pm, and 2:45pm.
Information on Dard Hunter: www.dardhunter.com