Port Washington in Nassau County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
One Home, Seven Generations
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, October 18, 2025
1. One Home, Seven Generations Marker
"This homestead is one of the quaintest and most unique in architecture to be found anywhere on Long Island."
- Ernie Simon, Port Washington News
The Thomas Dodge Homestead, c. 1721
The Dodge family lived here for 254 years. A traditional middle-class family, the women were homemakers, and the men were farmers, weavers, and seamen. They were among the first Europeans to settle in Port Washington, and each generation of Dodges, in its own way, served and cared for the community that grew up around the Mill Pond. For example, Charles Dodge (the young boy in the family portrait) was a volunteer fireman for more than 50 years, and an accomplished ice skater who put on a show for the neighbors when the pond froze over.
The Free Church, 1859-1926
Henry Onderdonk Dodge (the patriarch in the family portrait) was one of 30 residents inspired by an itinerant preacher to build a house of worship in 1859. The Free Church was open to various Christian sects, but as the different congregations built churches of their own, it fell into disuse. Today, we have three churches that evolved from the seed that was planted at the Mill Pond: The United Methodist Church, The Bible Church, and Mount Olive AME Church.
Local History Matters
Cow Neck Peninsula Historical Society
Erected by
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1721.
Location. 40° 50.296′ N, 73° 41.841′ W. Marker is in Port Washington, New York, in Nassau County. It can be reached from Harbor Road just south of Mill Pond Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 58 Harbor Road, Port Washington NY 11050, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the New York City Metropolitan Area and on Long Island. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mill Pond Model Yacht Club (within shouting distance of this marker); Mill Pond Restoration (within shouting distance of this marker); Shaped by Necessity (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Home of Cato Sands Family (about 600 feet away); The Mill Pond Historic District (approx. Ό mile away); Robert H. Dayton Park (approx. Ό mile away); The Dawn of a Destination (approx. Ό mile away); Trash Talkin' (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Washington.
Also see . . . Thomas Dodge Homestead (Cow Neck Peninsula Historical Society). (Submitted on October 24, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, October 18, 2025
2. One Home, Seven Generations Marker
The historic marker is located across the street from the Dodge house.
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, October 18, 2025
3. Thomas Dodge House
The Thomas Dodge House is a historic house museum in Port Washington.
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, October 18, 2025
4. National Register of Historic Places Plaque
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, October 18, 2025
5. Town of North Hempstead Designated Landmark Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 68 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 24, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
