Last week in the THR, it was announced that the 73 year old greenhouses in Downing Park are going to be rebuilt and restored. The greenhouses are located on the north side of South Street and for the most part are damaged. But, the wood framing has proved to be stable and most of the restoration work will be replacing panels and repairs to the electric and plumbing work. The plan is to have a learning center and possibly a commercial side to the greenhouses. However, most of these plans will depend on finding funding.
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.
The Newburgh Preservation Association announced its plans to re-launch Alexander Jackson Davis’s historic 1835 American Reformed Church as The Newburgh Lyceum at the Dutch Reformed Church. The move comes as part of a broader effort by the group to stabilize, restore and rededicate the landmark building as the heart of the City of Newburgh’s public square, past and future.
In January, Newburgh’s City Council approved an amended agreement with N.P.A. allowing the group to take the lead in making capital improvements to the D.R.C., including stabilizing the building’s ceiling, damaged over the winter. Guiding this transformation under N.P.A. will be its Dutch Reformed Church Restoration Committee, led by its new chairperson and N.P.A. Vice President Giovanni Palladino, a Newburgh native and architect, and the following members: Kevin Burke, Deirdre Glenn, Gary Gogerty, Virginia Kasinki, Barry Schuyler, Millie Starin.
In addition to stabilizing the D.R.C. structure, the D.R.C.R.C. this summer will launch a series of public gardens around the base of the building to reinforce the Lyceum’s ties to the people of Newburgh and its core sustainability goals. The Committee also plans to invigorate its fundraising efforts in 2012, including raising awareness of the D.R.C.’s central place in national and world architectural history and fostering ties between N.P.A. and the wider preservation movement.
“Our goal is to turn the D.R.C. into Newburgh’s version of Boston’s Faneuil Hall, a civic center where the people of our city can gather together in common purpose to discuss, even debate, ideas, celebrate our heritage and culture, host important events and enjoy the arts,” said Palladino. “To get there, the Lyceum will need significant support from our local, regional and national partners. The time is now to revitalize this precious landmark not only in honor of those who built it but for those it will serve as a unifying force of cultural and democratic possibility.”
“We are thrilled to be working with N.P.A. on this initiative,” said Newburgh City Manager, Richard Herberk, who, along with Corporation Counsel Michelle Kelson, was instrumental in finalizing the City’s agreement with N.P.A. liaison Gary Gogerty. “N.P.A. has a long-standing reputation in our city of fighting to preserve our most cherished landmarks, and bolstered by our new City agreement, it now has the authority and tools it needs to restore and revitalize The Newburgh Lyceum at the Dutch Reformed Church as our ‘beacon on a hill,’ there to remind visitors of our rich history as the birthplace of the American republic and of our people’s greatest strength: our diversity.”
The Dutch Reformed Church is an outstanding Greek Revival building designed in 1835 by world-renowned architect Alexander Jackson Davis. The monumental structure borrows proportions, siting and details from classical Greek precedents. Intended as a symbol of the community’s enlightened taste, it commands a dominant view over the Hudson. The D.R.C. is “the greatest surviving ecclesiastical commission of America’s greatest architect of the era” according to J. Winthrop Aldrich, former New York Deputy Commissioner of Historic Preservation. In 2001, the United States government designated it a National Historic Landmark.
The Newburgh Preservation Association (N.P.A.) is an all-volunteer organization founded in 1978 committed to rebuilding, preserving and promoting the architectural heritage and historic viewsheds of Newburgh. In 2010, N.P.A. helped facilitate the sale of the 1914 West Shore Train Station to Ray Yannone of Storm King Builders.
On Saturday, March 3, 2012 from 10 AM to 12 PM, Habitat Newburgh will hold its annual volunteer recruitment event. Individuals of all talents, interests, and skill levels are invited to learn more about becoming a volunteer with Habitat Newburgh. Current volunteers will be on hand to answer questions about the variety of volunteer opportunities available
Volunteers are an integral part of every aspect of Habitat Newburgh’s work. From hammering nails on site, to planning fundraisers, working at the ReStore, and guiding families through their journey to home-ownership, Habitat volunteers are the heart of this organization.
For more information on Habitat Newburgh, please visit www.HabitatNewburgh.org or call 845 568-6035 ext. 110.
About Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh is dedicated to providing safe, decent, and affordable homes in partnership with hard-working families in need. Reaching across racial, cultural, and religious boundaries, we seek to restore a sense of community with the common goal of strong neighborhoods and dignity through home-ownership.
Founded in October of 1999, Habitat Newburgh is one of 1,500 affiliates of Habitat for Humanity International and is the largest and most productive affiliate in the Hudson Valley. To date, we have completed 51 decent and affordable homes in one of the most distressed urban areas in the United States and the largest single historical district in New York State. 59 families (194 children and 93 adults) earning between 25-50% of the area median income, have demonstrated a willingness to partner with Habitat Newburgh by investing sweat equity into the construction of our homes, participating in required homeowner education classes, and signing a mortgage. Additionally, our home building efforts have returned over $8.7 million to the assessed property values to the City of Newburgh. www.HabitatNewburgh.org.
Know of any Newburgh preservation projects worth recognition?
The Preservation League is seeking nominations for the 2012 Excellence in Historic Preservation Awards, which recognize significant achievements in historic preservation throughout New York State. The awards will be presented during the Preservation League’s Annual Meeting on May 16 in New York City at the historic New York Yacht Club.
The League especially encourages nominations that may provide case studies or models incorporating energy efficiency, adaptive reuse, or New York’s Historic Homeownership Rehabilitation Tax Credit program.
The awards program is supported by a generous grant from the Arthur F. and Alice E. Adams Foundation of Miami, Florida. Nominations must be postmarked by February 16, 2012, and must include the nomination form and all of the supporting materials as specified. Click here for more details.
Wed., Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. at the Newburgh Library 124 Grand St
Do you like sewage? How about in the Hudson River? Come and hear Tracy Brown, from Riverkeeper’s Water Quality Program, discuss sewage contamination in the Hudson and actions communities can take to clean up their local water quality and improve their shorelines. Question and answer session to follow presentation of the results of a new survey on the Health of the Hudson River compiled by and presented by Riverkeeper. The Hudson River Journey exhibit is on display in the Library Gallery through October. PHOTO: Matthew Carasella.
