Photos of Newburgh Dutch Reformed Church Ceiling Collapse – Help Needed

Newburgh Dutch Reformed Church

My name is Michael Bowman and I am a photographer based in the Hudson Valley.  For many years I have been photographing things and places that other people often ignore, abandon, neglect or have forgotten. On my blog Desolate Places, I showcase a collection of beautiful, yet lonely places.  Recently, I have found myself returning to the City of Newburgh time and time-again, trying to document the many stories that make up “New York’s other city.”  In the coming weeks I hope to share some images of Newburgh that have inspired me.

I’ve been waiting for permission from the City of Newburgh to post this… a few weeks ago I was contacted to do some documentary work on the Dutch Reformed Church, located in the City of Newburgh.

One of the region’s most storied Historic buildings, it has sat vacant since the late 60’s when it was deconsecrated by the church, and has been used on and off as a performance space through the 80’s. In 1998 First Lady Hillary Clinton spoke on the steps during her “Save America’s Treasures” tour, and that ignited Preservation efforts that took off during the early 2000s.

Sadly, over the past winter a small roof leak caused a major roof collapse – though not structural in nature, the collapse damaged a large amount of the original plaster and framing. Click here to see what the original ceiling looked like before it collapsed.

These photos were taken to draw attention to the work that needs to be done to stabilize, and hopefully bring back this Hudson Valley historic site. Funds are needed, and you can make a donation here.

Please contact the Newburgh Preservation Association for more information about how you can join, volunteer, donate and help with future efforts.

www.newburghdrc.org

– All photos ©Michael Bowman, 2012

Newburgh Dutch Reformed Church

Newburgh Dutch Reformed Church

Newburgh Dutch Reformed Church

Newburgh Dutch Reformed Church

Newburgh Dutch Reformed Church

Newburgh Dutch Reformed Church

Newburgh Dutch Reformed Church

Newburgh Dutch Reformed Church

Newburgh Dutch Reformed Church

– All photos ©Michael Bowman, 2012

One Comment

  • Dear God. Who is responsible for letting this ceiling fall down? We have plenty of people in Newburgh who could have fixed that leak!! And now will it be possible to fix it?