After decades of research and advocacy, Fort Massapeag achieved the highest level of historical recognition.
Landmark Designation: Led by Town Historian Dorothy Horton McGee in 1989 with archaeologist Ralph Solecki, the site was granted the prestigious U.S. National Historic Landmark designation in 1993.
Crucial Historical Resource: This recognition underscores that Fort Massapeag is the only known Indigenous fort on Western Long Island, making it a singular and invaluable resource for understanding the early contact period.
The second Massapequa Indian Fort Sign sits in Sunset Park in 2024. Little known to the community before 2025, this track of land in Massapequa is the site of Fort Massapeag, circa 1656-1664. These grounds and vicinity contained extensive Indigenous artifacts supporting government recognition as a National Historic Landmark by the United States Parks Department. Photo by the author.