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Tours by boat to the Nature Conservancy, Van Wyck-Lefferts Tide Mill

From May through October Scheduled tours of the Tide Mill are run at least once a month.  (see our calendar ( The later portion if the schedule for Tide Mill tours is undecided because the Nature Conservancy will be working on the property this summer)) They leave, by boat, from Coney's Marina on West Shore Road in Huntington and last 2 hours.  Tours, for groups, can also be arranged by appointment.

The Huntington Historical Society is privileged to conduct guided tours of the Lefferts Tide mill, a property of The Nature Conservancy.

The Van Wyck-Lefferts Tide Mill, which harnessed the tides for power, was the height of technology when it was built , by the Van Wyck family in 1795.  Water powered mills need falling water and Long Island has few streams.  But, as explained on the tour, the many bays and coves, with 8 foot tides, were an unfailing source of power.  High tide filled the mill pond through the tide gate, and then, at low tide the trapped water was let out to turn the water wheel.

The Lefferts mill is unique in that of the scores of tide mills on Long Islands north shore, it is the only one left with its building intact, on its original dam and with its original massive wooden gears.  It is a Long Island treasure.

Tours leave by boat, provided courtesy of Coney's Marina on West Shore road in Huntington.  Seven Tours are scheduled over the summer, and additional tours can be arranged for groups, by appointment.  Since the tours are generally full, reservations are recommended.

The tour cost is $15 ($10 for Historical Society members) and lasts 2 hours.  Call the Historical Society for reservations.  Since access to the mill is by boat, some climbing up and down steps, into and out of the boat, is required.  Attendance on the tour requires the physical ability to perform these functions.