Houses

Another Rescue Me home is going to be saved! We showed you 55 Chambers last June. It is a good section of Chambers Street to consider rehabilitating a home since a lot of activity has been happening between Broadway and 1st Street. Habitat has already done a housing blitz tearing down and rebuilding two homes. The land bank also has plans to rehabilitate two buildings and to move their offices into one of them. Habitat for Humanity is spearheading this home at 55 Chambers which they started during MLK day. I can’t to see what it’s going to look like when it’s done! Check out the photos below, this house was only for those with experience. The entire place has been gutted. There are plenty more wonderful properties you should keep your eye out for on Chambers. All photos have come from Habitat for Humanity’s Facebook Fanpage. Become a fan!

If you would like to see an inside peek of some of Newburgh’s historic homes, consider attending the Newburgh Candlelight Tour on Sunday, December 8th. This year will be it’s 30th year running!

This year’s tour honors the memory of Don Herron, who drew the artwork that graced the Candlelight Tour booklets for the past two decades. A special exhibit of his artwork and drawings will be displayed at the Crawford House, courtesy of a generous grant by the Orange County Arts Council.

Purchase tickets here.

The Candlelight Tour hosted by the Historical Society brings out some of the biggest crowds to Newburgh each year. People like you and me and gawk and all the gorgeous architecture that Newburgh has to offer. However, it seems the same homes are on tour every year and a request is going out for new homes to be featured this year. Part of the fun is getting to see new homes! Plus, you will be helping the Historical Society since this is their annual fundraiser.

Only the rooms the owner wishes need be shown like hall, parlors and maybe kitchen. No one needs to traipse through every nook and cranny. It is not a real estate tour.  The Society could provide volunteers who could house-sit a home if it is one that has owners not in town on December 8th.

If you are interested contact one of the following people below:

Warren Cahill – 562-5639 – jwcahill716@gmail.com
Sue Knieser – 564-4184 – sknieser@gmail.com
Carla Decker – 565-4352 – cdjeanie@aol.com
Bill Mocko – 562-6517

Photo © Johanna Porr

Recently someone brought to my attention these old photos of the Selah Reeve house that can be found online at the Library of Congress. This home is currently in foreclosure and can be had for $32,900. It probably needs quadruple that amount in renovations, but this is one of Newburgh’s historic gems that no one wants to see ruined. It is said to be the third oldest home (correction, just found out it’s the 2nd oldest home in Newburgh dating to c.1800). You can read all about the Reeves at the Preserve Newburgh website. Take a look at the photos below and you can see clues to the homes masonic ties. You can also see the rubble across the street from the destruction of urban renewal. It’s amazing to see many details that are still there. Check out the banister and railing that look to have been naturally polished with the oils from dwellers hands as they climbed the stairs.

A survey was done in 1968 by Columbia University. It states, ” A fine example of gambrel roof construction this building was owned by several of Newburgh’s more prominent citizens in the early part of the nineteenth century, and one room served for three years, 1817-1820, as the masonic lodge hall. From decorative elements and documents, the can be dated only as approximately of the 1800-1810 period. The entire block and surrounding neighborhood of other nineteenth century examples is currently threatened by urban renewal plans. Measured and drawn Spring, 1968 by C.R. Bierce in conjunction with work towards an M.S. Degree in the School of Architecture, Columbia University.”

– Photos and images all from Library of Congress