East End Historic District (Newburgh, New York) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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East End Historic District
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View north along William Street, 2007
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | Newburgh, NY |
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| Area | 445 acres (2 km²) |
| Built | mid-18th–mid-20th centuries |
| Architect | multiple |
| Architectural style | Italianate, Second Empire, Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 85002426 |
| Added to NRHP | 1985 |
The East End Historic District is a special area in Newburgh, New York, United States. It's part of a larger historic district that the state and city recognize. This district covers about 445 acres (2 square kilometers). It has 2,217 buildings, including Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site. This site is a very important place called a National Historic Landmark.
Most of the buildings in this area were built in the late 1800s. This was when Newburgh was a busy industrial city. These buildings were homes for many working-class families. They also housed small shops that served the community. The city first recognized this area as historic in 1973. It was then added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.
Today, the East End Historic District is a mix of different areas. Some parts are very popular. They offer amazing views of the Hudson River and the nearby mountains. Other parts of the district have older buildings that need a lot of care. Groups that work to save historic places are trying to help these buildings.
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Exploring the East End Historic District
The East End Historic District is located in the southeastern part of Newburgh. It stretches from Robinson Avenue (which is US 9W) in the west to Water Street and Bay View Terrace in the east. To the south, it reaches Monument and Renwick streets. To the north, it goes up to LeRoy Place and Broadway. This area was the main part of Newburgh by the end of the 1800s. The land gently slopes up from the river.
Near the river, you'll find older factory buildings. Some are still in use, while others are empty. As you move higher up, most neighborhoods are residential. This means they have many homes. You'll also see some schools and churches scattered around. There are a few shopping areas too. One is along Liberty Street, across from Washington's Headquarters. This area gets many tourists in the summer. Other shops are along Broadway near City Hall and on William Street.
This district, combined with another nearby historic area, has over 4,000 important historic buildings. The East End Historic District alone has 2,239 important buildings. This is the most of any federally recognized historic district in New York State.
Buildings and Styles
Many buildings in the East End Historic District are two or three stories tall. They are often made of brick. Most of these are townhouses built in the Italianate style. This style was very popular for city buildings in the late 1800s. In an area called Washington Heights, you can find houses in many different Victorian styles. This part of the district grew quickly between 1886 and 1900. These homes often have great views of the river.
The houses on and near Parmenter Street are special. They are the only part of Newburgh that still looks like a small village from the early 1800s. These homes are two stories tall with pointed roofs (called gables). They are built in the Federal style. You won't find many other buildings like these in Newburgh.
Important Buildings in the District
The oldest building in the district is the Jonathan Hasbrouck house. It was built in 1750. Today, it is the main part of Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site. George Washington lived here after the British gave up at Yorktown in 1781. He stayed until the British left America in 1783. In the 1850s, this house became the first state-recognized historic site in the country. It is now one of Newburgh's two National Historic Landmarks. The Palisades Interstate Park Commission helps manage it.
Another important building in the district is the New York State Armory on Broadway. This building was empty for many years. The New York National Guard unit that used to be there moved to a new building in the 1930s. A fire in the 1970s left it badly damaged. People thought it would be torn down. But then Orange County bought it. They worked with a private company and the state's Office of Historic Preservation to rebuild it. Now, it houses the county's Social Services offices for the city.
Saving History
The city of Newburgh has rules to protect the historic district. They review any big building projects to make sure they fit in. The city also supports efforts to fix up parts of the district. However, many buildings are still empty and need care. In 1996, the National Trust for Historic Preservation listed the district as one of America's Most Endangered Places.
By 2007, things started looking better. A group called River City Development Corporation received money to fix up some old row houses. They turned them into affordable housing. In 1999, the Preservation League of New York State also highlighted a part of the district. This area, along Parmenter Street, is one of the oldest African-American neighborhoods in the state. It was where many freed slaves lived near an African Methodist Episcopal Zion church.
In 2017, a big project started to restore 15 buildings in the district. This project will create 45 affordable rental apartments. These homes will help families, artists, veterans, and people experiencing homelessness. The project is expected to finish in 2018.
Images for kids
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Hasbrouck House at Washington's Headquarters
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The armory in 2007
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Neglected houses not far from the Armory.
