In 1985, the Tuttle-Fordham Mill, located in Speonk between Montauk Highway and Old Montauk Highway, and overlooking the Speonk River to the south, was designated as the first Town of Southampton historic Landmark. The Mill site has a long history, beginning in the 18th century and continuing throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. The original wooden sawmill (no longer present), which milled lumber of many of our community’s early homes, was constructed by members of the Jagger family in the early 1800s. The sawmill was powered by a pond created by damming the upper reach of the Speonk River.

The 1859 brick Mill, now restored, was constructed next to the original sawmill building by Daniel Tuttle just prior to the Civil War and was used for his wagon-building, carriage, and wheelwright business. His son, Lewis Tuttle, was an undertaker and made coffins onsite. The Tuttles leased the Mill to Everett O. Fordham in 1895; Mr. Fordham bought the Mill in 1911 and transformed it to electric power. Fordham’s long-time employee, Wilbur Benjamin, bought the Mill in 1946 and continued operations until he sold the property in 1959. The current western portion of the Mill building was constructed in the 1960s on the site of the original wooden sawmill building. Sawmill operations were continued onsite by the Moriches Woodworking Co., Inc., owned by John Salomon until about 1975. Thereafter, the buildings were used for several years for antiques sales and other purposes, during which time the Beinecke family sought and obtained Town of Southampton Landmark designation for the property.

Unoccupied for some time, the Mill descended into a state of significant disrepair and its foundation became seriously compromised. There was considerable community concern for the deteriorating Mill as it was a highly-visible and well-known historic building and had been for sale for many years with no buyers with restoration resources evident. In March 2017 the John and Elaine Kanas Family Foundation purchased the property that includes the 1859 Tuttle-Fordham Mill, assuming full responsibility for its preservation and appropriate reuse. The Foundation undertook the significant repairs needed, coordinating this work with the Town’s Landmarks & Historic Districts Board as required for a landmarked property.

Thanks to John and Elaine Kanas and their Foundation, the Tuttle-Fordham Mill has been restored, the site is functional again, and this property has a new life for many years. Office space for the Foundation and another tenant is provided for in the Mill, while the attractive newer building to the west has several office spaces for tenants. The restored buildings and landscaping are truly beautiful and an asset to the hamlet of Speonk/Remsenburg.  The John and Elaine Kanas Family Foundation’s significant efforts to restore and re-purpose this historic site are deeply appreciated by the Society and community and are more than worthy of the Society’s first Historic Preservation Award, which was made in 2018.

Sources: Historical Profiles of Eastport, Speonk, Remsenburg, Westhampton, page 44