Join the Historical Society Board of Trustees

The Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands seeks to grow its Board with the addition of three new Board Trustees in 2024. We are looking for community-driven individuals who are enthusiastic about preserving, promoting, and protecting Newburgh’s history. 

Individuals from all backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to apply. 

Please submit your application by September 1, 2024: you can fill out an application online, or you can download a PDF and send the completed form to us by email to info@newburghhistoricalsociety.org or by regular mail to Newburgh Historical Society, 189 Montgomery Street, Newburgh, NY 12550.

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.

About the Historical Society

The Historical Society manages an extensive archive of Newburgh’s history, stewards the 1830 Crawford House, offers free programming on a range of topics, is an active member of the local community, and functions as a resource for questions and research.

In 2023, the Historical Society offered over 20 free programs, including hands-on workshops, author talks, and live music. Many of the programs were new to us in 2023, including serving as an exhibition space for local artists and inviting attendees to interact with our archives during Archive Workshop series. We also collaborated with local organizations including San Miguel Academy, Newburgh Open Studios, Newburgh Free Library, Newburgh Farmer’s Market, New Windsor Cantonment, and St. George’s Episcopal Church, amongst many others. In addition, we made great strides in caring for our archives and collections, including digitization and establishing best practices.

In addition to the Board, the Historical Society also has two part-time employees and over 18 volunteers.

About the Board

The Historical Society currently has 10 Board Members. Our Board Members bring a variety of experiences to the organization, including history, community planning, art, finance, education and legal.

The Board meets on the third Tuesday of each month at the David Crawford House.

  • Tuesday, April 16

  • Tuesday, May 21

  • Tuesday, June 18

  • Tuesday, July 16

  • Tuesday, August 20

  • Tuesday, September 17

  • Tuesday, October 15

  • Tuesday, November 19

Committees and Special Committees

Board Trustees are expected to actively serve on two committees. Meetings are scheduled as needed.

  • Executive - Consists of board officers. Oversees monthly administrative tasks. Works closely with the Director.

  • Building and Grounds - Oversees the maintenance and repair of the Crawford House property.

  • Collection - Defines collection goals and policies; oversees the furnishings, fine art, and decorative art in the collection.

  • Finance – Develops annual budget and oversees Society’s finances. Meets as needed.

  • Fundraising – Plans and executes fundraising activities to enhance the general organizational budget.

  • Strategic Planning – Plans for the overall health of the organization, including the reviewing, updating, and establishing goals, benchmarks, and best practices.

  • Candlelight Tour – Plans the Annual Candlelight Tour, the Society’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Tasks include recruiting sites for the tour, decorating the Crawford House, researching the history of each site, seeking sponsorships support for the tour.

  • Gift Shop – Maintains inventory and reports sales. Staff the shop on open Sundays and during special tours and events.

  • Library – Oversees the volunteer staff of the Society’s library, oversees, and executes library services and policies.

  • Programming – Develops and executes public programs, including lectures, special events, and tours.

  • Garden – Plans and maintains the grounds of the Crawford House, including seasonal plantings.