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FROM THE BRYANT ROOM ARCHIVES
By Myrna Sloam, ©May/June 2003
Alice Titus and the Roslyn Grist Mill Tea House
In the fall of 1919, Alice C. Titus (1893-1980) arrived in Roslyn to begin operation of the Grist Mill Tea House on Old Northern Blvd. She had just finished running a small summer tea shop in the hills of New Hampshire and had been recommended by her Uncle, who lived in Glen Cove, to Harold Godwin, grandson of W.C. Bryant. Mr.Godwin was one of a group of Trustees who had helped restore this 18th century mill after it was given up by its owner, Isaac Hicks, in 1916. The Trustees set up a museum and were looking for a way to keep the building open to the public and to generate funds for its operation. The Roslyn Grist Mill Tea House operated from 1919 until 1975 and it is still well remembered by many Roslyn residents and visitors. Through the years, Ms.Titus wrote various news articles about the mill and the tea shop. The following is an excerpt from one of her writings in the Library's Local History Collection:
It seemed to be because of lack of modern conveniences rather than in spite of them that neighbors and friends came from everywhere to enjoy luncheon tea and supper by candlelight. The popovers popped magically in the little flimsy kerosene stove. Coffee and tea were made fresh for each party and the delicious aroma inevitably lured to the tea tables those who had come primarily to view the museum. The tea room and kitchen were separated by a partial partition and the sound of the ice cream freezer being turned by hand and the scurrying of the entire staff (Miss Titus and Mary Kosotsky) to prepare trays for a sudden influx of business, seemed to intrigue the happy customers.
Some would drift into the kitchen and take a turn at the ice cream freezer if, when it was done, they might lick the dasher. No matter how many came and how many things needed to be done all at the same time, the wonderful groaning of the mill wheel and the rush of water just under the floor, gave the lightness of feet and buoyancy of spirit to meet every emergency. Excitement and happy atmosphere pervaded every corner of the Old Mill.
The candlelight was soon augmented by homemade electricity. The Mill was wired and a generator installed in the basement and if the belt didn't fall off the flywheel, there were lights supplied by the same power that had, for so long ground the farmers' grain. It was a fearsome task to invade the depths under the Mill with a flashlight to restore the belt to the rightful position, for the water from the millrace thundered down beside you and the ever-dreaded rats scurried hither and thither. If any of the stories of ghosts visiting the Mill, as told by the old timers around the fireplace were true, it would seem most probable that this was where they could be met.
NOTE: Ms. Titus became a well-known figure in the Roslyn community and stayed
on as proprietor of the Tea House until her retirement in 1951. The tea shop
operation was taken over by Michael Hassett, who had worked with Ms. Titus at
the Mill, and who had also served as Mayor of Roslyn Village for eleven years.
At his retirement in 1957, the Tea House was then run, until its closing in
1975, by Edith McQuillan. Ms. Titus remained in Roslyn for a number of years
after her retirement, and along with Village Historian and Grist Mill Trustee,
Marion Brower, was instrumental in having historical materials from the mill
museum turned over to the Bryant Library. This Grist Mill Collection, along
with Stewart Donaldson's clipping book collection, (which Ms. Titus convinced
him to give to the library) was the beginning of the library's now extensive
Local History Collection. Not only did the library gain these physical donations,
it also gained the services of Ms. Titus, who, after her retirement from the
tea shop, served as the Collection's first part-time curator, organizing and
making these materials available to researchers.
Permission to reproduce, publish or display whole
text articles must be obtained from the Bryant Library Archivist.
Email: localhistory@bryantlibrary.org