In 2002, the McGill Alumni Association of New York took up the challenge of a community volunteer service project proposed to them by Huntington Town Historian Robert C. Hughes. Middleville Cemetery (circa 1790,) a small historic cemetery in Fort Salonga, Long Island, needed restoration.

For the last seven years, the McGill alumni group – working in conjunction with Huntington Town Councilwoman Susan Berland and her community volunteers, Town Historian Hughes, the Fort Salonga Association, the Northport Historical Society, the American Folk Art Museum, Northport High School students, Scouts, neighbors and descendents – have brought the physical restoration of the cemetery to completion.

On Saturday October 24, at 1:00 p.m. sharp, there will be a rededication ceremony at the cemetery. The ceremony is open to the public and will begin with a procession featuring vintage cars and horse and carriage corteges from the historic center of the former hamlet of Middleville (Bread & Cheese Hollow Road/Old Bridge Road), up Middleville Road, to the cemetery. The cemetery is located 300 feet east of Rinaldo Road/the entrance to the Northport Veteran’s Administration Medical Center on Middleville Road. After a brief commemorative ceremony, attendees will be able to view historic displays that tell the stories of the lives of those buried there, along with community history and the restoration story. The Huntington Militia and various other historic groups will be in attendance. A reception will follow and refreshments, provided by Richter’s Orchard, will be served.

Directions to Middleville Cemetery

Driving: Long Island Expressway (495) or Northern State Parkway East to Sunken Meadow Parkway North.

Sunken Meadow Parkway North to the last Exit Westbound Rte 25A – Direction: Huntington, Proceed West on Route 25A (Fort Salonga Road) several miles, you will pass a flashing light, then a stop light (Shell Station/IGA Supermarket/Chase Bank), continue West about one more mile. You will see the Elijah Churchill Inn on the right, a small shopping center and a second stop light. On the right is Norwood Road, on the left is RINALDO ROAD. Turn left onto Rinaldo Road, and proceed about one mile. Rinaldo Road will end at the intersection of Middleville Road and the entrance to the Veteran’s Medical Center. Parking for the event is just inside the entrance gate of the Veteran’s Medical Center. Middleville Cemetery is located on Middleville Road 300 feet east of the Veteran’s Medical Center entrance, on the top of the hill on the left.

PublicTransportation: Long Island Railroad from Penn Station Manhattan to Northport (Port Jefferson Line.) Taxi from Northport station to Northport Veteran’s Medical Center Entrance Gate/Golf Club House.