The Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands

Founded in 1884, the Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands is a private not-for-profit organization chartered by the State of New York and registered as a 501(c)(3) charity. Headquartered in the 1830 Captain David Crawford House, the Society is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history, architecture, and culture of Newburgh, the Hudson River Valley, and the surrounding region. Originally established to collect and present records related to the area’s Revolutionary War history, the Society continues that legacy today by making local history accessible, engaging, and meaningful for all ages.

A historical sign reads 'Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands, Crawford House 1834,' hanging on a metal pole with green trees and brick buildings in the background.

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.

A middle-aged man with glasses and a beard wearing a blue striped shirt and beige pants standing next to a staircase with red carpet. He has one hand in his pocket and is holding a carved wooden stair banister with the other hand.

2025-2026 Board of Trustees

A man with a beard and mustache sitting on a staircase with a patterned red and yellow carpet. He is wearing a brown jacket, a blue shirt with orange and black flower print, and light blue jeans. The man is resting his arm on a carved wooden banister.

Dr. Jeff Doolittle, Executive Director

An elderly man with white hair, wearing a blue checkered shirt and jeans, standing by a staircase with red carpet and gold patterns.

Jonathan Hamilt, President

An elderly woman with short gray hair, wearing a light blue jacket over a white shirt, standing next to a carved wooden staircase railing. She is smiling and holding onto the railing with her left hand.

Alan Crawford , Treasurer

An elderly man with blue eyes, bald head, and fair skin standing indoors near a staircase with a red and gold patterned carpet. He is wearing a blue sweater over a collared shirt and dark pants, resting his hand on an intricately carved wooden newel post.

Mary McTamaney, Secretary

A woman with long brown hair, wearing a pink cardigan over a dark blue top, smiling and standing by a staircase with red and gold patterned carpet.

Alan Axelrod, Esq.

An elderly woman smiling, wearing a purple beret, glasses, gold earrings, a lavender blazer, a dark blue top with a patterned scarf, gold jewelry, and holding an ornate wooden sculpture, standing next to a staircase with red and gold patterned carpet.

Varvara Mikushkina, Vice President

A man with short dark hair and blue eyes, smiling, wearing a light gray sweater and dark blue jeans, standing next to a staircase with red carpet and yellow floral patterns, holding onto a carved wooden stair railing.

Gayle Clark Fedigan

A woman with shoulder-length red hair, wearing a striped black and white long-sleeve shirt, standing indoors near a staircase with a decorative wooden handrail.

Carson Carter

An elderly man with gray hair, glasses, wearing a yellow shirt and blue jeans, standing indoors next to a carved wooden staircase railing with red carpeted stairs behind him.

Samantha Wiley

An elderly man with dark skin, no hair, and striking blue eyes, dressed in a navy suit, white shirt, and red tie, standing on a staircase with a carved wooden handrail and red carpet with floral patterns, against a plain light wall.

David Fekishazy

A woman with short red hair and light skin smiles while standing next to a carved wooden staircase banister, wearing a black dress and jewelry.

Roy Spells, Vice President

Members Emeritus

Regina Angelo
Warren Cahill

Holly Johnston
Allynne Lange
Russell Lange

Historical Society Staff

Jeffrey Doolittle, Ph.D., Executive Director

Buddy Sangalli, Museum and Archive Assistant

Historical Society Advisors

Steven Baltsas

Dr. Debra Lamb

Historical Society Volunteers

Tyrese Billups, Heidi Cavalluzzo, Jean DiNapoli, Anne Farrell, Adriana Frias, Linda Fogarty, Jackson Galati, Erika and Matt Gallagher, Janice Gimino, Grace Gloeckler, Jan Heidelberg, Patti Hoeltschi, Lisa Infantino, Mike and Madelene Knaggs, Jessica Kuhn, Marian Leeds, Ingrid Mazola, Ginny McCurdy, Dave McTamaney, Page Ogden, Lisa Pellegrino, Dulce Ramirez, Ava Rogers, Joan Shedden Paese, Gabriel Rosario, Anastasia Solberg, Eric Soriano, Lorelei Stevens, Mary Verdegaal, Joyce Von Hahsel.