Arts & Recreation

Architecture in the City of Newburgh

The City of Newburgh abounds with block after block of historic architecture. Established in 1973, the East End Historic District contains over 4000 buildings of historic interest.

Along with a few colonial specimens, the buildings of Newburgh provide a virtual encyclopedia of 19th-century eclectic styles: Federal, Greek Revival, Italianate, Carpenter Gothic, Queen Anne, High Victorian, Second Empire, Romanesque Revival, Gothic Revival, Picturesque, and Shingle Style are all represented!

You will see historic architecture on virtually any block of the City — an aimless drive yields many delights.

The simple colonial Hasbrouck house used as Washington's Headquarters (on South Liberty St) is worth a visit for the museum and view as well as the house. Then drive south to the end of Liberty Street to view the Hudson from "The Heights" (and take in a few dozen more historic houses).

Particularly noteworthy is the former Dutch Reformed Church, 136 Grand Street, about 3 blocks north of Broadway. This Greek Revival "temple" was designed in 1835 by one of America's greatest architects, Alexander Jackson Davis. The structure is a National Historic Landmark and on the World Monuments Fund's list of the "100 Most Endangered Sites" in the world.

Across the street is the Old Courthouse, designed by Thornton Niven, who worked as a mason on the Dutch Reformed Church.
A block away, on First Street, is a line of handsome Federal-style townhouses from the early 19th century known as "Quality Row."

For sheer exuberance of Victorian inventiveness drive or walk north on Grand Street from Broadway all the way to North Street, then swing to the right and come back down Montgomery Street: you'll see dozens of houses of every style in the Victorian architect's repertoire. Many show the influence of A. J. Downing. Several are by his partner Calvert Vaux and by distinguished local architect Frank Estabrook. On Grand and South, note the Egyptian Revival tomb of a Hudson River captain in the Old Town Cemetery.

Any architectural tour should also include the Vaux-Olmsted Downing Park at Robinson Ave and South Street.

Also see the Colonial Terraces neighborhood, erected during World War I to provide housing for shipyard workers. The area is now designated a city Design District.