Until 1894 the little old whit e wooden building behind the Mill was a laundry, potting or summer kitchen. Then 34-year-old Fred Benedict adopted it as his workshop and studio. Today, everything is just as it was left when “Uncle Fred” passed away in 1952, age 92, having used his beloved workshop for 58 years. All the materials-wood scraps, papers, photo supplies, tools, magnets, puzzles, game boards, weather vanes, and more-remain.
Born Frederick Hallock Benedict, he never married, and lived his entire life in Water Mill. He gardened, socialized, read and wrote, chronicled, photographed, entertained, collected, crafted, invented, and shared his exploits with his community. He had no formal higher education, but was an avid reader and was self-taught his whole life long.
Here, in this workshop, Fred explored his interests- Photography, framing, craft projects, puzzle and game-making, magnets and reading up on perpetual calendars, multiple births and following the lives of great leaders of his time. Today we would label him a ‘life-long learner’, a craftsman, a dabbler, hobbyist, and a very social, albeit opinionated, single guy.
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Fred lived in interesting times! He was around for major events in history. For example, his two Uncles fought in the civil war, and returned home to tell about it. When he was 5, Lincoln was assassinated. His Father, Asher Morris Benedict, after having two sons, took off for California and the Gold Rush of 1842 - for a few years, but it didn’t ‘pan’ out. Asher returned, and shortly, more Benedicts were born. Fred lived through the coming of rails, road, electricity and telephony, movies and automobiles, and the industrial revolution.
During Fred’s lifetime, 98% of the population of Water Mill was farmers-but not the Benedicts. Instead, his family provided much needed products, services and lodgings to the busy community. If his Father had struck gold in California, how would Water Mill history have changed? Without Fred, much would have been lost to time, without photos, diaries, and his network of family and friends.
Uncle Fred, we can glean from his collection in this shop and historical references, was in independent thinker with an inquiring mind who enjoyed making things and sharing them with friends. He loved reading and keeping up with current events. His great nephew wrote, “He never worked a day in his life”. Perhaps Fred would agree. But he was never idle a day either.