Volunteers Still Needed to Save Witch's Hat

A crumbling icon in Aquebogue is still in dire need of repair.

According to Georgette Keller of the Save Main Road civic organization, volunteers are still needed to work on the Witch's Hat, located on Route 25 near the Aquebogue Veterinary Hospital.

Especially needed are those with experience in spraying poison ivy, tree removal, and carpentry.

Both Riverhead and North Fork residents have a wealth of shared memories of the Witch's Hat, an iconic roadside stand on the south side of Route 25 where vegetables and pies were once sold.

The iconic structure, which resembles a witch's hat, is a town-designated landmark, but has seen better days, its exterior crumbling and in dire need of repair.

Now, members of the Save Main Road civic group are teaming up to breathe new life into the structure, and preserve it for future generations.

The town's landmarks preservation commission has had the Witch's Hat "on their watch list for years," said Keller, a founder of the Save Main Road group.

According to Keller, Dr. Richard Hanusch of the Aquebogue Veterinary Hospital, owner of the parcel and the Witch's Hat, was quoted "a ridiculous price" to renovate the structure.

"He wants to see it preserved, and not moved," Keller said.

Keller said she volunteered the Save Main Road group to spearhead an effort "to gather volunteers, organize actions and otherwise oversee the renovation as a community project."

Richard Wines of the landmarks preservation commission will also be involved, Keller said; the commission, she said, will offer guidance moving forward.

"Dr. Hanusch never knew what to do either -- he's a vet, not a builder -- but he wants to be a good steward of the historical icon," Keller said.

Residents have long held the Witch's Hat close to their hearts as an important piece of their collective North Fork history and shared memories. 

"One thing I'd like to see preserved and restored is the 'Witch's Hat' building on the south side of the road in Aquebogue," wrote Jim, a Patch reader. "I remember seeing this ever since I was a kid -- I'm now 65 -- and I still enjoy seeing this unique little building hunkering by the road side. It's on private property, I assume, and I don't know what its original use was, but it is certainly unique and is now in danger of falling down, by the looks of it. To lose this 'North Fork Duck' would be a shame."

To contact Georgette Keller and volunteer, call 631-722-4520 or e- mail georgette@ savemainroad.org.

What memories do you have of the Witch's Hat? Would you like to see it preserved?