Located on the west shore of the Hudson River, Newburgh, NY is a city steeped in history. During his 1609 exploration of the area that would become Newburgh, Henry Hudson described it as a “pleasant place to build a town,” according to City of Newburgh Historian Mary McTamaney. Indeed, General George Washington made the Hasbrouck House in Newburgh his headquarters in 1783, the final year of the American Revolution.

Situated 60 miles north of New York City and 90 miles south of Albany, the city was a common port for steamboats traveling up and down the river between those cities. The waterfront area and Broadway became and were bustling places of commerce for many years from the mid-1800s until the malls drew businesses away in the early 1970s. Kaplan Hall, located on the SUNY Orange campus at the corner of Grand and First Streets, has two photo exhibits of scenes of Newburgh during that time period.

In the glass vitrine case stationed in the Foyer of the Mindy Ross Gallery at Kaplan Hall, an exhibit of photos, Newburgh & Its Waterfront in Earlier Days, depicts nearby streets and parks as well as waterfront scenes and will be on display through the end of July. In addition, images of the Old City Courthouse, now the Heritage Center, and its bell, are on exhibit in the glass vitrine case which is next to the beautifully restored courthouse bell at the Grand Street entrance of Kaplan Hall. All of the images have been provided by Historian McTamaney.

During June and July, regular visiting hours are Monday through Thursday, 9am to 8pm. Also, the exhibits will be on view for visitors touring galleries on Last Saturday, June 27 from 6 to 8pm. All exhibits are free and open to the public.

Questions may be directed to cultural@sunyorange.edu  and (845)341-4891. Also, see  www.sunyorange.edu/culturalaffairs