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viewing more frequently than alternative proposals. The millstones from
Jorrisen's Mill are significant artifacts of New York's early industrial history. Their preservation in a secure environment, accompanied by interpretative and educational information, is essential for public understanding and appreciation.
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dating to the early 19th century. However; Historian
Theodore Hazen, a millstone expert, confirmed that the Jorissen Tide Mill millstones in Dutch Kills, western Long Island, were indeed Esopus Millstones made from Shawangunk Conglomerate sourced from the âGunksâ above the Rochester-Accord area in New York.
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For the next 15 years, the local historical society monitored the millstones, noting significant deterioration due to vandalism and exposure to the elements. The centers of the stones have eroded, with one stone cracked and asphalt dumped into them. Concerns about their condition were raised as early
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has declined to designate the millstones as landmarks., the millstones are considered the oldest surviving
European artifacts in the borough. Lore was they arrived on a West Indian merchant ship. The design on their faces suggests they are either replacements or originals with their faces re-scored,
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sought support to temporarily house the millstones in their museum, retain experts to study their origin and age, and exhibit them for the community until a permanent local interior space is found. The society, with the expertise to securely house the artifacts, would make them available for public
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at 41st Avenue and Queens Plaza North. A postcard from around 1925 depicts tall light fixtures with circular bases resembling the millstones. 40th Avenue was once called
Paynter Ave. During the construction of the Queens Plaza subway station around 1930, the stones were temporarily relocated to a
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water mills in Boston, New
England, and New York have been essential for grinding grain, cutting lumber, grinding spices, making snuff, pounding iron, and performing numerous other heavy labor tasks that contributed to America's development. These âtide-millsâ also supported maritime commerce,
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It is uncommon for tide mill millstones to remain intact, as many have been shattered or destroyed over time. The association of these millstones with a 17th-century mill further enhances their rarity and historical value. The
Jorrisen millstones are likely among the earliest tidal millstones
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lines converge. The labor-intensive tasks of grinding wheat and sifting flour were predominantly carried out by
African-American workers. It is very likely that some of the 163 African American slaves known to have been held in Newtown in 1755 were employed in operating these millstones.
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are linked to the Grist Mill in the first
European community in Queens, located in what was and still is known as Dutch Kills. The Payntar Millstones are significant beyond making flour for Washington's Continental Army; they are a tangible link to early U.S. industrial history.
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The mill's ownership can be traced through several families: Bragaw, Parcell, Polhemus and
Ryerson, before being acquired by the Payntar family in 1831. The mill and its pond remained until 1861, when the Long Island Railroad's construction obliterated the site.
61:
connecting emerging metropolitan centers along the
Atlantic Coast. In New York, these mills were an economic boon that propelled the city to greatnessâa fact commemorated by the two flour barrels on the city's coat of arms. The mill at
35:, which ran just east of Northern Boulevard between 40th Road and 48th Street. For decades, a pair of centuries-old millstones, once used to grind wheat, have been embedded in a traffic triangle at Queens Plaza, where
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The annals of Newtown, in Queens County, New York; containing its history from its first settlement, together with many interesting facts concerning the adjacent towns;
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nearby flower bed. A 1940s booklet by the Long Island Savings Bank shows the millstones embedded in a traffic island, where they remained until the 2000s.
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Constructed by Burger Jorissen in 1650, Jorrisen's Mill was the first tidal mill in western Queens. It operated using a ditch known as Berger's
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expansion caused the gristmill to be destroyed in 1861, the last vestiges of the mill are the stones Jorrisen installed in 1657. These
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Letter from Mary Beth Betts,Director of Research, the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission 4/10/2010
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When the Payntar home was demolished in 1913, the millstones were moved to the plaza in front of the
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As part of a multimillion-dollar renovation of Queens Plaza by the NYC Planning and the
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The Payntar family salvaged the millstones and placed them in front of their home on
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Letter to the EDC from DUTCH KILLS ADVOCACY LEAGUE:August 10, 2010 Press Release
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preserved in the United States, and possibly in the Western Hemisphere.
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The millstones, returned to Dutch Kills Green in the 2014 renovation
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https://www.angelfire.com/journal/millrestoration/millstones.html
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Map of Long Island City, Queens Co. N.Y. - Paynter Ave shown
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Middle College High School at LaGuardia Community College
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Aviation Career & Technical Education High School
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Firehouse, Engine Company 261 and Ladder Company 116
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401:"Civics Keep Historic Millstones In Dutch Kills"
284:. The Library of Congress. New-York, D. Fanshaw.
188:New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission
130:Park in eastern part of plaza, after renovation
426:"Preservationists want Astoria stones honored"
176:New York City Economic Development Corporation
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479:"Millstones priority of Queens Plaza project"
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750:Greater Astoria Historical Society
662:Information Technology High School
477:Kadinsky, Sergey (June 17, 2010).
196:Greater Astoria Historical Society
100:, approximately 300 feet north of
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657:William Cullen Bryant High School
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453:"Millstones Find Temporary Haven"
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229:List of tide mills on Long Island
43:intersect and two major elevated
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255:"Millstones of Queens Plaza"
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1178:History of Queens, New York
897:Queens Plaza Court Building
805:Long Island City Courthouse
713:LaGuardia Community College
642:Academy of American Studies
295:Walsh, Kevin (2022-06-07).
253:Walsh, Kevin (2010-03-18).
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164:Long Island Savings Bank
993:Railroad infrastructure
600:Gantry Plaza State Park
182:Historical significance
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18:Dutch Kills Millstones
1068:Geographical features
682:Newcomers High School
278:Riker, James (1852).
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76:Seal of New York City
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969:Hunters Point Avenue
836:Hunter's Point South
740:Religion and culture
221:New York City portal
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1003:Hunterspoint Avenue
851:Queensbridge Houses
703:Briarcliffe College
432:. November 25, 2009
380:. February 20, 2019
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301:Forgotten New York
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1078:Anable Basin
1041:Queens Plaza
974:Queens Plaza
829:Developments
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56:Since 1631,
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1083:Dutch Kills
959:39th Avenue
954:36th Street
949:21st Street
846:The Orchard
633:Primary and
186:Though the
63:Dutch Kills
1183:Tide mills
1162:Categories
488:August 25,
462:August 25,
436:August 25,
410:August 25,
384:August 24,
354:. New York
351:Daily News
330:2024-08-24
306:2024-08-24
264:2024-08-24
235:References
86:millstones
22:millstones
1131:See also:
999:Stations
623:Education
358:April 12,
171:as 2001.
937:stations
882:5 Pointz
866:Tower 28
810:MoMA PS1
755:MoMA PS1
259:HuffPost
207:See also
37:Northern
935:Subway
875:Others
574:Queens
33:Sluice
26:Queens
590:Parks
861:Sven
490:2024
464:2024
438:2024
412:2024
386:2024
360:2024
194:The
82:LIRR
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Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
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