Newburgh: History & Heart

by Anne Pyburn and photographs by David Cunningham, June 29, 2011

If Newburgh were a person, she’d wear pearls and silk—pearls from great-grandma, silk from the Salvation Army—a supple black leather, and just the right scent. The kind of lady who gets mentioned in both Look magazine (“All-American City,” 1952) and Oui magazine (“Towns Without Pity,” February 1979). Newburgh abounds in contrasts and grace notes.

Backward Glances
History is alive here. Washington’s Headquarters, where the First General lived whilst foiling the Newburgh Conspiracy’s scheme to make America a monarchy, is just one stop on your historical tour. There’s the New Windsor Cantonment, a reconstruction of the Continental Army’s final encampment, where reenactors love to play and the first Purple Heart was awarded, and the Purple Heart National Hall of Honor museum. The Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands maintains the Captain David Crawford House, a monument to the era of grand side-wheel steamers.

Then there’s the faux Scottish castle built on Pollepel Island by arms dealer Francis Bannerman, who expressed the desire that his armaments collection would one day be known as “The Museum of Lost Arts.” Closed to the public for decades, Bannerman’s Castle can be toured these days—get there by guided kayak or by tour boat. And the Pollopel is far from the only tour vessel plying the shining bay amidst the Highlands; the Pride of the Hudson and the River Rose both offer Newburgh-based cruises.