FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 23, 2021
MEDIA CONTACTS: Gordon Tepper, Rebecca Cheng and Michael Anderson | (516) 869-7794
North Hempstead Receives Grant from Gardiner Foundation for Townsend Cemetery Restoration
North Hempstead, NY – Supervisor Judi Bosworth, Council Member Peter Zuckerman, and the Town Board are proud to announce that the restoration project at the Townsend Cemetery in East Hills will be a recipient of a $10,000 grant from the Robert D.L. Gardiner Foundation. The grant was awarded to the Roslyn Landmark Society. The Town and the Roslyn Landmark Society are working in partnership for the restoration efforts.
“The Town is extremely grateful to the Robert D.L. Gardiner Foundation for supporting the Town of North Hempstead and the Roslyn Landmark Society in our collective efforts to restore the Townsend Cemetery,” said Supervisor Judi Bosworth. “This funding will go a long way in allowing us to continue our mission to preserve this significant historical landmark.”
The Town recently conducted an extensive cleanup of the burial grounds and access road to enable the Burial Ground Preservation Group, in collaboration with Stewart Preservation Services, to prepare a comprehensive plan to restore the cemetery. Work is expected to begin in the spring.
“We’re committed to collaborating with local non-profit community groups to raise funds and care for our town cemeteries and landmarks. Co-President Howard Kroplick and Director Jennifer Lister of the Roslyn Landmark Society have proven to be ideal partners. Such partnerships provide the feedback and enhance the cooperation we need to get things done and do them right” said Town of North Hempstead Historian Ross Lumpkin.
The multi-phased project plan addresses the urgent need to survey and record the cemetery, and to provide recommendations for its conservation treatment and restoration. The overall goal is to protect the marks and headstones that are vulnerable to damage and deterioration due to weather. The Townsend Cemetery dates to 1790 and was active for almost 104 years. Throughout this period, it was known as the Willis Farm Cemetery, Greenvale Cemetery and now the Townsend Cemetery. Currently nine headstones and five footstones are visible on the ground.
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