North Hempstead Honors Revolutionary War Patriots Ahead of America's 250th
Monfort Cemetery, Port Washington · 10 AM
The Town unveiled the first phase of a historic gravestone restoration project, held a flag ceremony at the graves of Revolutionary War Patriots, and dedicated new patriotic memorial gardens — reconnecting residents with one of Long Island's most significant founding-era landmarks.
"American history is alive right here in our own neighborhoods. These gravestones are irreplaceable pieces of our nation's founding story, and we want to make sure they're never forgotten."
— Supervisor Jennifer S. DeSena"The cemetery has been transformed. Sunken stones have been raised and reset. Tilted stones have been straightened. Fragments of stones, large and small, have been gathered. Most amazing of all, some gravestones thought to be missing have been reassembled."
— Ross Lumpkin, North Hempstead Town HistorianThe Monfort Cemetery in Port Washington was originally established in 1737 when a group of Dutch families purchased the land to use as a burial ground. It was an active burial ground from at least 1737 to 1892. The site contains some of the Town's earliest settlers including the Onderdonk, Hegeman, Dodge, Rapelje and Schenck families. The oldest surviving stone is for Geetruy Onderdonk (1694–1737), the wife of Andries Onderdonk, and the youngest stone is for Ann Hegeman, who died in 1892.
The grounds also contain the remains of more than 150 early Dutch settlers, with more than 100 sandstone and marble grave markers which provide examples of pre- and post-Revolutionary War soul effigies.
The Monfort Cemetery was declared a Town landmark on July 23, 1985 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. The Monfort Cemetery was cared for until 1984 by Burtis Monfort when he relinquished control and deeded the grounds to the Town. The Town of North Hempstead and the Cow Neck Historical Society have worked in conjunction to raise funds, obtain grants, organize tours and events, and landscape the property.
Patriots Buried at Monfort Cemetery
Monfort Cemetery, Port Washington
Revolutionary War Patriots interred at this historic Town landmarkPhase one of the preservation project was completed by Steward Preservation Services, specialists in historic monument conservation. Volunteers from the Port Washington Public Library were trained to clean headstones using professional, non-invasive techniques — removing centuries of moss, algae, and lichen that erode fragile sandstone and marble markers.
The project was funded through a $10,000 donation from the Cow Neck Historical Society, matched by the Town Historian's budget. The restoration is one of several America 250 initiatives preserving North Hempstead's Revolutionary War heritage for generations to come.
Event Video
Event Photos · June 30, 2026
