The Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands is a nonprofit organization founded in 1884 to preserve and promote the history, architecture, and culture of the city of Newburgh, New York and the surrounding area.
Join us for Opening Day, April 27, 2025
Though our House Museum is closed for the season, private tours can be arranged by appointment.
To visit or schedule a tour please call us at
(845) 561-2585 or email info@newburghhistoricalsociety.org
Our Library remains open through the winter for research.
For the winter and spring of 2025, the Library will be open to researchers on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 3-6 pm.
An appointment is required to consult library resources.
Call us at (845)561-3790 or email us at archivesHSNBH@gmail.com
Calendar of Events
Call for Volunteers
Tours: Greet visitors as a docent at Crawford House.
Gift Shop: Staff the counter or assist with marketing and mailings.
Archive and Library: Help digitize archives and contribute to history projects.
Museum Collections: Inventory and maintain art, artifacts, and furniture.
Buildings and Grounds: Assist in preserving Newburgh's architectural gem.
Since 1884, the Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands, a New York State not-for-profit organization, has worked to preserve the important heritage of our region and we need your help to continue the work.
If you have particular items, be they photos, videos, artifacts or whole collections, that might contribute to the historical record of our region and be meaningful to others in the community, please consider donating them and/or allowing us to digitize and share them with the public.
As a first step, please email photographs and a brief description to archiveshsnbh@gmail.com and one of our team will be in touch to help evaluate your item.
Artifact and Document Donations Welcome
Become a 2025 Season Member
The Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands is a member supported organization. Membership benefits for the Society are varied and help the Museum continue to fulfill its mission of education, historic preservation and community outreach. Your membership dollars go toward maintaining the 1830s Captain David Crawford House, developing and funding our lectures and special events through the year, and preserving our library and archives.
2025 Archive Workshops
Discover the rich history of Newburgh while working hands-on with historical records from our Archives. Gain valuable archival skills and research techniques under the guidance of experienced professionals. Each workshop requires a $15 materials fee, payable in person on the day of the session. All workshops take place at Crawford House, located at 189 Montgomery Street, Newburgh, NY 12550.
Digitizing 101: Preserving Your Personal Archive | Sunday, February 23 | 11am-1pm
Instructor: Varvara Mikushkina, Digital Archivist
Preserve your personal or family photo archive by learning the essentials of digitization! In this hands-on workshop, we’ll cover organization strategies, best practices for scanning, and the equipment you’ll need. Plus, discover digitization projects and services available at HSNBH. Bring your own photos, slides, and negatives to work with and give your “old media” a fresh new life!
The Art of 18th and 19th Century Writing | Sunday, April 27 | 11am-1pm
Instructors: Jeffrey Doolittle, Paleographer and Marjorie Politi, Calligrapher
Step back in time and discover the artistry of handwriting from the 18th and 19th centuries. Using materials from the HSNBH archive, this workshop will showcase how written documents were created and how handwriting styles evolved over time. Participants will also have the chance to learn and practice authentic 19th-century cursive.
Researching the History of Your Home | Sunday, October 5 | 11am-1pm
Instructor: James Kelly, Architectural Historian
Discover how to research historic structures in the City of Newburgh with a focus on preservation. This workshop will explore local and external resources to help you uncover a building’s history and navigate conflicting evidence. Bring your own questions and projects for a hands-on learning experience. Some readings will be provided in advance.
