Open Letter of Thanks to Witch's Hat Volunteers

After a crew came together Saturday to help clean up a North Fork icon, the Witch's Hat in Aquebogue, Richard Wines, Chair of the Riverhead Landmarks Preservation Commission, wrote an email thanking dedicated volunteers.

"On behalf of the Riverhead Landmarks Preservation Commission, let me add my thanks for your help yesterday cleaning up and stripping down the Witch's Hat. This is one of 57 structures officially designated as Riverhead Town landmarks (including seven along Main Road)," he wrote. "It has long been on the Commission's 'watch list' because of its deteriorating condition. So it is wonderful to have the community and Save Main Road come together to ensure this unique structure's survival."

Wines said there are 229 other historic resources along or near Main Road as it runs through Aquebogue, Jamesport and Laurel.

"We hope this will be one more step in ensuring the long term survival of this beautiful and historic corridor," he wrote. 

Wines asked those who wish to get involved to "like" the Save Main Road Facebook page, to see how they can help.

Georgette Keller, founder of the Save Main Road group, gave thanks to
Kaiser Maintenance, which provided the necessary poison ivy spraying and tree removal.

She added that a nine-man crew worked on clean-out and clean-up Saturday.

Next, Rob Gabrielsen will go in with Wines to formulate a renovation plan, Keller said.

She added that five East End master carpenter/ construction companies have volunteered their time, labor, and materials for the project.

"The next phase is to look closely at the structure and see exactly what it needs," Keller said.

The project isa joint venture between the Town of Riverhead's Landmarks Preservation Commission and Save Main Road.

According to its Facebook page, Save Main Road has undertaken a project to restore the "unique and cherished Aquebogue landmark. We’re working with the property owner, local contractors and building materials suppliers to craft a practicable plan."

Goals include stabilizing the structure and returning it to its former glory. For more information on the project, click here. 

Donations are 100 percent tax deductible and a generous matching grant will double initial contributions, Keller said.
 
For months, an effort has been underway to breathe new life into the crumbling icon, located on Route 25 near the Aquebogue Veterinary Hospital.

Volunteers have been asked to step up, especially 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 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.

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."

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?