Foundation Looks to Buy Land Surrounding Gomez Mill House

By Bond Brungard
for the Poughkeepsie Journal

Marlboro — The Gomez Foundation for Mill House is angling to purchase the lands surrounding the historic home just north of the Newburgh town line.

The foundation recently signed an option to buy almost 30 acres of land in the Town of Newburgh for $35,000. And a deal is pending for a 50-acre parcel on the Ulster Country side.

“We are trying to protect ourselves against development,” said foundation President Bob Jacobs.

The foundation presides over the Gomez Mill House, considered to be the oldest surviving Jewish homestead in North America.

Luis Moses Gomez established the homestead in 1714 after fleeing the Spanish Inquisition. Once established, the homestead became a trading post for Gomez, who also bought and sold land.

Full of History

The home was also owned by Wolfert Acker, a patriot during the American Revolution, and Dard Hunter, an artisan known for handmade paper during the early part of 20th century. The marlborough and Newburgh town boards have already voted to endorse the foundation’s expansion plans. If the land is acquired, the 80 acres — mostly fields and orchards — could be used for outdoor education activities as well as the future possible sitings of a visitor center and a parking lot.

“The idea is to make it more of an education center,” said Bill Maurer, executive director of the Gomez Mill House.

Maurer said an education center could also include interpretative activities that teach adults and children about agriculture, one of Marlborough’s largest industries. “A possiblity would be for us to grow berries in order to teach visitors about fruits and vegetables,” said Maurer.

Reprinted with permission from The Poughkeepsie Journal — Friday September 1, 2000.