The Town of North Hempstead has issued this press release concerning the Town Seal.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 14, 2021
MEDIA CONTACTS: Gordon Tepper, Rebecca Cheng, Matthew Leonenko and Michael Anderson | (516) 869-7794

North Hempstead to Officially Begin Collaborative Process to Redesign Town Seal

North Hempstead, NY – Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth and the Town Board unanimously voted at the September 2, 2021 Town Board meeting to retain Wampum Magic, Inc. to provide professional services, including illustration and design work related to redesigning the North Hempstead Town seal. Wampum Magic is a Native American owned and operated company located on the Poospatuck reservation in Mastic. The current Town seal was adopted in 1935.

According to former Town historian Howard Kroplick’s book entitled “North Hempstead,” the illustration on the seal represents “Tackapausha, the sachem of the Algonquians who lived in the area.” Tackapausha was primarily engaged in the negotiations with the European settlers in 1643 "to purchase all the land within the present towns of North Hempstead and Hempstead". Tackapausha was also a signatory to subsequent confirming documents in 1657 and 1658.

“The Town Board recognizes the need to redesign the Town seal,” said Supervisor Judi Bosworth. “We remain committed to carrying out the Town Board’s intent from 1935, which was to honor the Native Americans who originally inhabited this land. We are looking forward to continuing our outreach and working in partnership with representatives from the Matinecock and Unkechaug Nations as we move forward with this collaborative effort.”

“We are honored to be a part of an effort to reflect a more accurate symbol of the relationship between the original people of this land and the European settlers. We thank the Town of North Hempstead for reaching out to the Matinecock and the other native communities in this effort. Let us hope this project will be a model that other Towns and Counties can emulate as we tell our combined stories,” said Chief Harry Wallace of the Unkechaug Nation.

The Town will be forming the Town Seal Review Committee, which will include a representative from the Matinecock Nation, Chief Harry Wallace from the Unkechaug Nation, Town historian Ross Lumpkin, Town representatives, and other community members. The Committee will assist in developing proposals with the professional illustrator.

The Town is also committed to creating a permanent educational display to provide background on this aspect of our Town’s history. As part of this effort, the Town will display a wampum friendship belt depicting the original agreement between the settlers and the original Native American inhabitants.

The Town plans on phasing in the new seal with priority being given to the Town’s website and other areas of high visibility, including vehicles, and prominently located signs.