New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

Newburgh

EPA Grants to Train Environmental Workers in Newburgh, Rochester

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epa logoThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the selection of 19 organizations to receive a total of $3,797,102 in grants for job training programs across the country, including organizations in Rochester and Newburgh, New York.

Funded through the Agency’s Brownfields Job Training Program, these grants provide funding to organizations that are working to create a skilled workforce in communities where assessment, cleanup, and preparation of brownfield sites for reuse activities are taking place. [Read more…] about EPA Grants to Train Environmental Workers in Newburgh, Rochester

Algonac: The Delano’s Hudson River Estate

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Delano mansion courtesy FDR LibraryOn the west side of the Hudson River near Newburgh, NY, across the river from the Roosevelt home at Hyde Park, was the Delano estate known as Algonac.

The Delano family hailed from Massachusetts and traced their origins to the Pilgrims and the Mayflower (they once spelled their name Del de Lannoy). The family was tied to the sea and eventually settled in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. [Read more…] about Algonac: The Delano’s Hudson River Estate

Newburgh’s Historic Weigand Tavern Getting A New Life

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Weigand's_Tavern-AuthorThe Martin Weigand Tavern in the City of Newburgh was a historic property allowed to deteriorate to a point where it was almost beyond repair. It’s now getting a new life.

Located on Liberty Street, it’s a relic of the American Revolution where many Revolutionary notables spent time. The tavern was also the center of political life in early Newburgh. It stands today at the Northwest corner of the Old Town Cemetery as it has for over two centuries. [Read more…] about Newburgh’s Historic Weigand Tavern Getting A New Life

Did George Washington Turn Down the Crown at Newburgh?

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copy of Nicolas Newburgh LetterMany Americans believe that at the end of the Revolutionary War, while headquartered in Newburgh, George Washington received an offer to become king of the United States.

According to this legend, Washington rejected the overture and said that “I did not defeat King George III to become King George I.”

But did this really happen? Did George Washington turn down the crown? Although there is a grain of truth to the story, it has largely been exaggerated. [Read more…] about Did George Washington Turn Down the Crown at Newburgh?

Train Ferries: The Hudson River’s Most Unusual Steamers

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Pioneer Hudson River Night Line auto ferry steamboat and former train ferry A Fred Saunders scrapbook Catskill Public LibraryAmong the many hundreds of steamboats plying the Hudson River when that waterway served as a primary method of moving people and freight, a few stand out as unusual. The most remarkable of these is perhaps the railroad transports, used to ferry railroad cars.

Also known as train ferries, or car ferries (not to be confused with auto ferries), they were fitted with railway tracks and doors at each end to allow for loading and unloading. [Read more…] about Train Ferries: The Hudson River’s Most Unusual Steamers

Trailblazing Women: Geraldine Ferraro

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Jimmy Carter with Congresswomen Geraldine FerraroGeraldine Ferraro, born in Newburgh and later of the South Bronx, would make history as the first female Vice Presidential nominee for a major party. In 1984, Democratic Presidential nominee Walter Mondale announced that Congresswoman of New York would be his running mate. [Read more…] about Trailblazing Women: Geraldine Ferraro

Washington’s HQ Reopens For Limited Use

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Washingtons Headquarters State Historic SiteWashington’s Headquarters State Historic Site has reopened to the public.

Both the Museum, which features over 1,300 objects from the collection, and the historic Hasbrouck House, where the General made his headquarters for 16 ½ months at the end of the Revolutionary War, are now open for visitors on a limited basis. [Read more…] about Washington’s HQ Reopens For Limited Use

Washington’s Headquarters Pathways Being Improved

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Washingtons Headquarters State Historic SiteWashington’s Headquarters State Historic Site in Newburgh is set to begin an extensive Pathway Improvement Project this  July. The Pathway Project is expected to be respectful of the site’s history, while enhancing public access to the grounds and the Site’s significant historic features. [Read more…] about Washington’s Headquarters Pathways Being Improved