Roslyn Cemetery

Roslyn Cemetery
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Nearest city:	Roslyn, New York
Coordinates:	40°48′33″N 73°37′56″W
Built:	1878
Governing body:	Private
NRHP Reference#:	91001534
Added to NRHP:	October 28, 1991

The Roslyn Cemetery is located on Route 25A (Northern Boulevard) in the town of Greenvale, Nassau County, New York. The "Roslyn Cemetery" is owned by the Roslyn Presbyterian Church which is located within the Village of Roslyn. The "Roslyn Cemetery" is a product of the "Rural Cemetery Act" of which one of the many intents was to move burial grounds away from the local church and community as well as to design the grounds in a park like setting. This is clearly evident in the "Roslyn Cemetery" which is more like a botanical garden than a cemetery. Interments in the "Roslyn Cemetery" are as early as the 19th century and it continues to accept burials today. The "Roslyn Cemetery" has many notable figures as well as a section dedicated to fallen Civil War soldiers.

The "East Gate Toll House" which sits on the south east side of the "Roslyn Cemetery" and is clearly seen from Northern Blvd.(Route 25A) is the last remaining toll house that served the North Hempstead Turnpike. The "East Gate Toll House" was built around 1864. This structure is frequently but incorrectly referred to as being a toll house for the Vanderbilt Motor Parkway which ran considerably south of this location. Over the years the toll road had ceased operation and the main road was moved south of the toll house. The "Roslyn Cemetery" eventually surrounded the property. This structure sat unoccupied for many years and served little more than a shed for cemetery work tools.

For many years it was the desire of Roger Gerry (President of the Roslyn Landmark Society) to restore the structure but it was not within the budget of the Roslyn Presbyterian Church.

In the early 1980s, an agreement was formed between the Roslyn Presbyterian Church, Roger Gerry (President of the Roslyn Landmark Society)and Richard Hahn to restore the structure. An agreement was made that Richard Hahn would restore the structure at his time and expense to the specifications of the Roslyn Landmark Society. In return Richard Hahn would utilize the structure for his own residence for a number of years. A historical architect prepared detailed drawings, microscopic paint analysis was done on every surface and after two years the restoration was completed as per the specifications. The "East Gate Toll House" at times is included in the annual walking tour of Roslyn. A very detailed decsription of the history of the "East Gate Toll House", written by Dr.Roger Gerry can be found in one of the "Roslyn Walking Tour Guides" issued by the "Roslyn Landmark Society". The "East Gate Toll House" is also on the national register of historic places.

The "Roslyn East Gate Toll House" continues to be a private residence.

Notable interments

• Frances Hodgson Burnett, author of The Secret Garden, A Little Princess and Little Lord Fauntleroy
• William Cullen Bryant, poet and journalist, lived in Roslyn
• Christopher Morley, poet and journalist, lived in Roslyn
• Stephen Taber, a United States Congressman from New York from 1865–1869

External links

• Find-A-Grave interments at Roslyn Cemetery
• Political Graveyard interments at Roslyn Cemetery