A cultural survey of the East End Historic District’s boundaries
The Fullerton organization in Newburgh, NY, is one of this year’s Preserve New York(PNY) grantees. Their grant of $12,000 will fund the re-examination of the boundaries of Newburgh’s East End Historic District by conducting a Cultural Resource Survey of neighborhoods south of Downing Park. The Preservation League of NYS and their program partners at the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) are thrilled to help fund this important work.
“The Fullerton strongly believes that the cultural resource survey conducted by Marissa Marvelli will identify important architectural, historical, and social narratives associated with underrepresented communities,” said Fullerton President Naomi Hersson-Ringskog. “This survey will lay the groundwork to address issues of justice, diversity, and inclusion within the community and preservation field, and potentially in the future, advance the preservation of neighborhoods that will qualify for Historic Tax Credits.”
Last updated in 1985, the Newburgh East End Historic District (EEHD) is historically and architecturally significant as an intact concentration of historic buildings and sites that chronicle the City of Newburgh’s development from its early-18th century settlement period through the 1930s – a 200+year period of population growth and economic expansion. Yet, the current historic district map shows uneven borders running through visually cohesive neighborhoods, raising questions of how they were drawn.
This cultural resource survey will re-examine those boundaries. The focus area is East of Robinson Avenue and South of Downing Park at Third Street. There are 529 buildings and 1 structure (Mill Street Bridge over Quassaick Creek) spread across 33 blocks. This area is in an eligible census tract for the New York State Historic Tax Credit Program. With many of the residents and homeowners being low-income, the possibility of providing those residents with incentives like Historic Tax Credits will make home maintenance much more affordable.
This survey responds to the growing scrutiny that preservationists must reconsider whose narratives are represented and whose are missing. In the case of Newburgh, the social history of many of those who literally built and shaped the city are little reflected in the current EEHD nomination text. This survey is one step towards enhancing the quality of life for all in Newburgh. The future possibility of building inclusive networks and expanding available resources that come with designating an area a historic district can encourage restoration and renovations of individual homes. This in turn helps stabilize neighborhood corridors, add more local job opportunities, increase land values, decrease crime, and stimulate community pride of our common heritage in Newburgh.
At its 2023 meeting, an independent grant panel selected 19 applicants in 17 counties to receive support totaling $279,936. Each grant supports important arts and cultural initiatives, as well as economic development related to our state’s arts and cultural heritage. Many of these grants will lead to historic district designation or expansion, telling the stories of communities throughout the state and allowing property owners to take advantage of the New York State and Federal Historic Tax Credits. With the announcement of the 2023 awards, support provided by Preserve New York since its launch in 1993 totals more than $3.7 million to 529 projects statewide.
The Preserve New York program is a regrant partnership between the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) and the Preservation League, made possible with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation has generously provided additional funds to support nonprofit projects in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
Since 1993, Preserve New York has been providing funds to municipalities and nonprofit organizations that need technical, professional assistance to guide a variety of preservation projects. The building condition reports, cultural landscape reports, and cultural resource surveys funded through this program lead to positive outcomes across New York’s 62 counties.
2023 PNY Grant Recipients:
Albany County: Shaker Heritage Society, $20,000 | Cattaraugus County: Leon Historical Society, $6,720 |Chautauqua County: Patterson Library, $16,000 | Essex County: Fort Ticonderoga Association, $18,800 | Franklin County: Harrietstown, $13,600 | Green County: Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society, $20,008 | Livingston County: Village on Nunda, $12,980 | Madison County: Oneida Community Mansion House, $18,940 | Monroe County: Connected Communities / Beechwood Neighborhood Coalition, $20,000 | Nassau County: Long Beach Historical & Preservation Society, $7,876 | New York County: Historic Districts Council, $16,000 | Orange County: The Fullerton, $12,000 | Otsego County: Otsego Land Trust, $14,780 | Suffolk County: The Center for Environmental Education and Discovery, $10,632; Wainscott Heritage Project, $14,400 | Ulster County: The Center for Photography at Woodstock, $14,000; Village of New Paltz, $14,000 | Warren County: Silver Bay YMCA, $11,200 | Westchester County: Historic Hudson Valley, $18,000
“The breadth of these projects across our state will safeguard the rich and diverse history of New York for generations to come,” said Mara Manus, Executive Director of NYSCA. “We applaud the Preservation League of New York State for this critical preservation program. From all of us at NYSCA, a hearty congratulations to the grantees and our gratitude for the essential work you do.”
“This year’s Preserve New York grant cycle was one of the most competitive in the program’s history,” said Jay DiLorenzo, President of the Preservation League of NYS. “The 19 projects funded truly rose to the top and represent a great cross-section of historic resources found across the state. From a Shaker Washhouse upstate to the Little Caribbean neighborhood in Brooklyn, each project helps tell the story of New York’s rich history.”
About the Preservation League of New York State
Since its founding in 1974, the Preservation League has built a reputation for action and effectiveness. Our goal has been to preserve our historic buildings, districts, and landscapes and to build a better New York, one community at a time. The Preservation League of New York State invests in people and projects that champion the essential role of preservation in community revitalization, sustainable economic growth and the protection of our historic buildings and landscapes. We lead advocacy, economic development, and education programs across the state.
Connect with us at preservenys.org, facebook.com/preservenys, twitter.com/preservenys, and instagram.com/preservenys, and youtube.com/c/PreservationLeague.
About The Fullerton
The Fullerton Mansion Center for Culture and History (The Fullerton) seeks to revive Newburgh’s grandeur by collaborating on cultural programs and promoting research that celebrates Newburgh’s history and diverse culture. For more program information, visit www.thefullerton.org