About Us
Mount Olivet Cemetery was incorporated in 1850 under the Rural Cemetery Association Act of 1847 as a non-governmental supervision, non-sectarian cemetery. Space was allotted in and around most family lots to allow for landscape planting and a vast variety of trees and shrubs that have been planted. The cemetery has a regular tree and shrub pruning program and plants trees to make up for those lost due to storms, insect or disease damage.
Our History
It can only be assumed that the highest point of the Cemetery, 165 feet above sea level, was used as a lookout for the "Mespatches" indians. Maspeth which was formally settled by colonists in 1642 was named for these indians. The village began with 28 English settlers, mostly of the Quaker religion, as a result of the "Newtown Patent" of 1642, which granted over 13,000 acres of land to those wishing to settle and develop what is now western Queens County. The original village developed around Newtown Creek, west of the current town.
The first meeting to discuss the formation of the cemetery was on March 26, 1850 at the house of James Maurice in Maspeth. It was there that the name and the first Board of Directors were decided. The first board of Directors was Samual Haskins, George Fash, James Maurice, Lawrence Waterbury, John Stevens and Noah Waterbury. The original restriction of having mostly Episcopal Church services was repealed in 1851. The original land was acquired from George Fash (42 acres) which he had previously purchased contemplating the formation of the cemetery, and from the estate of James Waterbury (originally the property of Thomas Hallett.) The later parcel, of 16 acres was purchased in 1878 and gave the cemetery 360 feet frontage on Grand Avenue. A later purchase resulted in today's total of 71 acres.
The original office was located on brown place. It was eventually established on Grand Avenue in 1878 after land was purchased giving frontage on the more desirable main street. The current office building was built in 1936.
Working in Our Community & Our Partnerships
Mount Olivet Cemetery actively collaborates with a broad range of federal, state, city, and local agencies and organizations to advance public safety, environmental stewardship, historic preservation, and community engagement.
Our partnerships include participation in the New York City West Nile Virus reduction program; cooperative efforts with the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service involving rabies vaccination initiatives (including wildlife control measures) and monitoring for invasive species such as the Asian longhorned beetle; and coordination with the New York City Fire Department, New York City Police Department, and the New York City Department of Buildings to ensure regulatory compliance and public safety.
We also work closely with civic and service organizations such as Girl Scouts of the USA, Boy Scouts of America, and Wreaths Across America, as well as industry and professional associations including the Metropolitan Cemetery Association and the New York State Association of Cemeteries. In matters involving estate administration and burial rights, we coordinate with the New York State Surrogate's Court.
Established in 1850 as a nonprofit cemetery corporation, Mount Olivet Cemetery remains committed to operating a secure, dignified, and well-maintained institution that reflects the values of the community we serve. We are dedicated to maintaining a highly trained security presence, professional staff, and operational standards that ensure an experience distinguished by respect, safety, and integrity.