The Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands
The Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands, headquartered in the 1830 Captain David Crawford House, is a private not-for-profit organization chartered by the State of New York. Incorporated in 1884, the Society was originally dedicated to the collection and presentation of records and data pertaining to the Hudson River Valley, focusing especially on its Revolutionary War history. The society began in one room in the Newburgh Free Library, moved to two rooms at 48 Second Street, occupied the Glebe House on Clinton Street, and finally found its permanent home in 1954 in the Captain David Crawford House.
Our Mission
The Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands preserves the history of the Greater Newburgh area by promoting an appreciation of the region’s unique attributes and protecting its architectural, cultural and historic resources.
Our Vision
Our vision is to be a vibrant community resource that preserves and shares Newburgh's rich history through engaging house tours, educational and cultural events, accessible archives for research, and curated collections of local artifacts. Through rotating exhibitions and our permanent Hudson River model ship collection, we aim to inspire curiosity and a deeper understanding of our region’s heritage.
The Society is a membership organization, which relies solely on the generosity of its members and time of volunteers to continue its mission and stewardship of the Captain David Crawford House and its grounds.
2024 Board of Trustees
Samantha Wiley, President
Barry Schuyler, Treasurer Mary McTamaney, Secretary
Alan Axelrod , Esq. Carson Carter Alan Crawford David Fekishazy Gayle Clark Fedigan Jonathan Hamilt Dr. Debra Lamb Varvara Mikushkina Kris Rizzo Sammarco Roy R. Spells
Members Emeritus
Regina Angelo
Warren Cahill
Holly Johnston
Allynne Lange
Russell Lange
Historical Society Staff
Mary Verdegaal, Operations Manager
Jeffrey Doolittle, Research Manager
Historical Society Advisors
Steven Baltsas
Historical Society Volunteers
Dorothy Basini, Jean DiNapoli, Adriana Frias, Erika and Matt Gallagher, Janice Gimino, Grace Gloeckler, Jan Heidelberg, Patti Hoeltschi, Jessica Kuhn, Marian Leeds, Ginny McCurdy, Dave McTamaney, Varvara Mikushkina, Page Ogden, Dulce Ramirez, Buddy Sangalli, Joan Shedden Paese, Lorelei Stevens, Joyce Von Hahsel, Nina Zelenak