Near the top of a two-page flier handed out at “The Witch’s Hat” on Main Road in Aquebogue Saturday was a statement attributed to the volunteers who have spent the past year renovating the local landmark.
“It’s such a small structure; how hard could it be?” reads the quote.
While that question was certainly rhetorical, the task turned out to be somewhat more involved than originally imagined. The volunteers were rewarded for their sizable efforts when they celebrated the completion of the renovation project Saturday.
The Witch’s Hat, which gets its name from its curious shape, is a local landmark built in 1927. A Landmarks Preservation Commission document states that the Witch’s Hat was built by Henry Flemming, an English immigrant and machinist who was around 70 years old at the time of construction.
Riverhead Town Landmarks Preservation Commission chairman Richard Wines has speculated the stand was designed to resemble a witch’s hat so that it would attract passing motorists.
The roadside stand was used to sell landscape shrubs. It has been unoccupied since the 1960s and was last restored sometime in the 1970s.
The landmark has been owned for the past 23 years by by Dr. Richard Hanusch, whose veterinary practice, Aquebogue Veterinary Hospital, is located just east of the landmark.
The current restoration project was managed by Wines and Cliff Baldwin, director of the community group Save Main Road. Save Main Road’s Gabrielle Bradford, Angela DeVito, Georgette Keller, Mike Reichel, Larry Simms and Janet Wright also volunteered on the project.
Saturday’s ceremony was an opportunity to honor those volunteers and local contractors and suppliers who donated their services. The group also rededicated the structure during the event.
The following local contractors and suppliers contributed to the project:
Clement Carpentry ……………………………… structural & finish carpentry
Gabrielsen Construction ………………………. assessment & planning
Jared Hallock …………………………………….. structural carpentry
Alan Hubbard Electric …………………………. electrification & lighting
Gary Hubbard ……………………………………. furnish & restore glazing
Kaiser Maintenance ……………………………. tree removal & site prep
Klatt Sheet Metal ………………………………… custom finial, peak windows & misc.
Lampa Projects ………………………………….. lighting design
Mastercraft Painting ……………………………. paint shingles & trim
RCR Backflow ……………………………………. underground electric feeds
Revco Electrical Supply ………………………. fixtures & electric materials
Riverhead Building Supply …………………… lumber, roofing, siding & more
Riverhead Glassworks ………………………… glazing
Van Kamenade Paint ………………………….. paint & materials
Wedel Signs ………………………………………. signage (temporary & permanent)
